Sefdaanian ethnography Ch. 10, Marriage

General

• Among the Six Peoples, only the Pyrans, the Hydorans, the Humans, and the Lithans practice marriage. Marriage (ṁédas) is the union, legal, social and spiritual, between one man and one woman from one of the Peoples that procreate. All marriages are exogamous (outside the local community) and monogamous. In all cases, marriages are arranged by the parents of the prospective brides (įmáṙtus) and grooms (uṙmáṙtus) often with the help of a matchmaker (mángus).
• A contract (ṁedváṙxas) is entered into when the outbreeder enters the settlement of the inbreeder. The dowry (ṁeðdóos) is presented to the parents of the inbreeder and, during a ceremony, rings are exchanged.
• Wedding gifts consist of household items. Among the Pyrans and Lithans, the groom must build a house before the bride arrives. Help in building the house is one of the gifts of the community to the newly weds.
• The marriage ceremony (ṁedtóĸ̧os) takes place in the community house (ĸàntïdémos). The ceremony has both religious and civil components. It is presided over by the head of the community (nį́ȝus).

Specific

1. Marriage for the Pyrans, although a matriarchal society, is patrilocal. The bride goes to the husband's dábos with her dowry of however many does were agreed upon. This prevents inbreeding in both the Pyran and the caprid population. Two men from a third dábos go to the bride's dábos to select the does and arrange for their transfer. However, she does not come to her new home until a house has been constructed for her. This is built by her husband and any crew he can get together from family and friends. Once at her new home, the bride becomes a daughter of the matriarch with all the rights and privileges that that entails. The dowry is seen as payment for the right to exercise these rights and privileges. The does are added to the family’s flock.
2. For the Hydorans, marriage is matrilocal. The husband goes to the bride's family without a brideprice (ṁédëmnos). He himself constitutes the brideprice by his own ability to contribute to the family.
3. Marriage for the Humans, although a matriarchal society, is patrilocal. The bride goes to the husband's ceímos with her dowry of however many mares were agreed upon. This prevents inbreeding in both the Human and the equine population. Two men from a third ceímos go to the bride's ceímos to select the mares and arrange for their transfer. Once at her new home, the bride becomes a daughter of the matriarch with all the rights and privileges that that entails. The dowry is seen as payment for the right to exercise these rights and privileges. The mares are added to the family’s herd.
4. For the Lithans, marriage is patrilocal. The bride brings to the husband's home her dowry which consists mainly of household items. However, she does not come to her new home until a house has been constructed for her. This is built by her husband and any crew he can get together from family and friends. Her husband and his family go to meet her at the gate to the valley and lead her down to the ĸílos, astride the donkey given to her by her parents. This donkey will remain her personal property so that she can take her part in the life of the ĸílos.

Divorce

Divorce does not exist in Sefdaania, but there can be separation from bed, but not board, for certain offenses such as adultery or abuse. This is mediated by the various local councils. Any children of the marriage continue to live with the mother until they reach their majority. The husband has to make his own arrangements, although he still has a say in the marriage arrangements of his children. Should either or both parents die, members of the extended family help to raise the children.