ALL ABOUT THE KUNBI MARATHA MARRIAGE

The term ‘kunbi’ is applied to the caste of traditional farmers belonging to Western India. The communities belonging to this group are largely found in the state of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Kerala. The kunbis belong to the other backward classes (OBC) in Maharashtra.

The popular Maratha dynasties such as the Bhosale, Pawar, Shinde, and Gaekwad are believed to be the origin of the Kunbis. 

The word ‘kunbi’ is derived from ‘Kun’ meaning people and ‘bi’ meaning seeds. Thus, the word signifies “those people who germinate more seeds from one seed”. Anyone who preferred the occupation of the cultivator came under the generic term of kunbi. 

Another important fact about Kunbis is that most of them are purely non-vegetarian. 

THE MARRIAGE

The kunbi community generally follows the customs and traditions just like the other Maharashtrian communities. The common tradition that happens in the Kunbi Maratha Marriage is the groom can tie the knot with his maternal uncle’s daughter. 

Also, the bride belonging to the rich kunbi family can always marry a boy belonging to the poor Maratha family. Through this tradition, the social order between the two communities is flexible and fluid. 

KUNBI MARATHA MARRIAGE

The Kunbis and Marathas are viewed as people belonging to the same community because Marathas belong to the group of peasants. Due to this similarity, a wedding between a Kunbi and a Maratha is possible. 

The Kunbis belong to the Hindu community and worship the Hindu deities as well. The way they show their devotion is by singing bhajans and kirtans in the name of the Hindu gods. 

Just like any other community, the kunbi matrimony community has several sub-castes among them. Though they do not object to the concept of inter-caste marriage at the same time they prefer a marriage to be established in the same caste.