Abstract :
The study focused to determine the change and continuity in cultural practices related to marriages. The present study was carried out in three cultural zones of Punjab viz., Malwa, Majha and Doaba. The data were collected personally from the two types of respondents viz., Mother-in-laws (G1) and daughter-in –laws (G2) constituting a sample of 360 respondents each. Majority of the G1 and G2 respondents performed ‘Roka/Thaka’ ceremonies followed by ‘Chunni Chadana’ ceremony. Majority (69.44 %) of G2 respondents had Ring ceremony and (69.72 %) performed Shagun ceremony whereas only few of first generation (G1) respondents performed both these ceremonies. In G1 respondents, ladies sangeet was performed only by the ladies from adjoining houses and villages whereas in case of G2 respondents the DJ’s replaced the traditional sangeet. The traditional sweets such as Ladoos were replaced by costly sweets, dry fuits and chocolates in second generation. All the respondents of G1 respondents prepared hand knitted items, phulkaris, pakhiyan as dowry items but very few of G2 respondents prepared them. The traditional ceremonies such as Din bandhana, Atte pani pauna, Bambiha bulana, Sithniyan are being lesser followed by G2 respondents. There was a shift regarding believe in astrology as only 28.61 per cent of G2 respondents believed in astrology. So, it was seen that there is a continuity of traditional ceremonies but a major shift in performing ladies sangeet, kind of dowry items, and sweets served was seen nowadays. People maintain ceremonies as traditional while simultaneously appropriating them for changes in broader society. Keeping traditional ceremonies as a way of preserving cultural identity in a society that is becoming more influenced by global trends.
Keyword :
Ceremonies, Change, Continuity, Marriage