EFFECTS OF INBREEDING ON MARRIAGE PAYMENT IN NORTH-INDIA

This study examines the relationships between consanguineous marriages and marriage payment, using data from two Muslim qaums living in urba n and rural areas in Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh, North India. Qau m and locality were found to have no significant association with the dowry system. Marriage payment is less common in consanguineous than i n non-consanguineous marriages. However, the association between marri age payment and the type of marriage is significant at p<0.001. The do wry system is more prevalent among the higher socioeconomic groups, wh ile the bride-wealth system is more common among the lower socioeconom ic groups.