[Marxism] Beyond gay marriage: Indian boy marries dog to ward off tiger attacks

[David Thorstad <binesi@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29259293/

Indian boy marries dog to ward off tiger attacks
Dad: 'It will overcome any curse that might fall on the child as well on us'

updated 12:29 p.m. ET, Wed., Feb. 18, 2009

BHUBANESWAR, India - An infant boy was married off to his neighbors' dog
in eastern India by villagers who said it will stop the groom from being
killed by wild animals, officials and witnesses said Wednesday.

Around 150 tribespeople performed the ritual recently in a hamlet in the
state of Orissa's Jajpur district after the boy, who is under two years
old, grew a tooth on his upper gum.

The Munda tribe see such a growth in young children as a bad omen and
believe it makes them prone to attacks by tigers and another animals.
The tribal god will bless the child and ward off evil spirits after the
marriage.
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"We performed the marriage because it will overcome any curse that might
fall on the child as well on us," the boy's father, Sanarumala Munda,
was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.

The groom, Sagula, was carried by his family in procession to the
village temple, where a priest solemnized the marriage between Sagula
and his bride Jyoti by chanting Sanskrit hymns, a witness said.

The villagers then ate a feast with rich food and alcohol to celebrate.

The dog belongs to the groom's neighbors and was set free to roam around
the area after the ceremony. No dowry was exchanged, the witness said,
and the boy will still be able to marry a human bride in the future
without filing for divorce.

Indian law does not recognize weddings between people and animals, but
the ritual survives in rural and tribal areas of the country where
millions are illiterate.




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