How were marriage and divorce handled in many traditional Plateau communities?

In many traditional Plateau Indian communities, marriage and divorce were characterized by their informal nature.1

Marriage Practices

• Constraints: Because first cousins were considered notional siblings, they were prohibited from marrying one another.1
• Residence: Following a wedding, newlyweds typically established their residence near the groom’s family.1
• Polygyny: While not common, polygyny—a practice where a man has multiple wives—was an approved form of marriage throughout the region.1

Divorce and Separation

• Process: Divorce was handled informally, requiring no specific grounds or formal legal proceedings.1
• Outcome: If a couple separated, the wife would simply return to her parents' home.1
• Remarriage: Following a divorce, it was standard for both individuals to eventually enter into new marriages.1