VIZIANAGARAM: The concept of a live-in relationship is not as novel it is made out to be. A section of tribals in Chinadodija village of Jiyyammavalasa mandal in the district do not follow the established set of norms in marriage. Since several decades, young boys and girls amongst the tribals go out for a honeymoon before tying the knot. Boys go out with girls of their choice without any inhibitions and return after spending about ten days away from their families. After their return, the couple may be willing to become life partners and start living together. The elders of the couple celebrate their union sans any paraphernalia associated with a traditonal Hindu wedding. This system is common amongst Savara, Jatapu and Gadaba sections of tribal communities who have been living in the hill slops of the agency areas, virtually cut off from the rest of the world. Mostly illiterate, tribals visit weekly shandies (weekly markets)in the plains and are wholly dependent on Podu cultivation for living. Speaking to Express, Chinadodija village sarpanch A Bandayya said tribals send couples for a honeymoon before nuptials to foster better understanding between them without being bound by traditions associated with conventional marriage.If the couple feel they are incompatible after they have lived with each other for some time, they are free to part ways, with the assent of elders of the community. While efforts will be made to convince the couple to patch up their differences, if the couple do not agree, that will be the end of the road. Intriguingly, there have been no instances of separation of such couples so far.
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