Jodidara Tradition

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Why in News?

Recently, Jodidara tradition practiced in the Hatti tribes of Himachal Pradesh.

Jodidara – It is a traditional form of polyandrous marriage practised among the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh.
Polyandry — Where a woman marries two or more men at the same time, usually brothers.
- The term derives from Greek Polys, meaning "many," and Andros, meaning "man.”
Like any conventional wedding, the event was marked by vibrant folk music, dance, and community festivities.
Unique Ritual
- Jajda - The wedding is called Jajda, which begins with the bride arriving in a procession to the groom’s village.
- Seenj - A ritual known as Seenj is performed at the groom’s home, where a priest chants mantras in the local dialect and sprinkles holy water.
The ceremony ends with the couple being offered jaggery, with blessings from the Kul Devta for a sweet and harmonious life ahead.
Significance - The polyandry system helped prevent the division of ancestral land among multiple heirs.
Other reasons include fostering unity among brothers, preserving joint family systems, and ensuring a secure and stable environment in remote, hilly terrains.
The tradition also helped manage scattered agricultural lands, which required collective, long-term attention.
Under Indian law, polyandry is not allowed.

Hatti Tribal Community

They reside in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and the Jaunsar Bawar region of Uttarakhand.
The Hatti tribe was recently granted Scheduled Tribe status.
The Hattis is a close-knit community who got their name from their tradition of selling homegrown vegetables, crops, meat and wool etc. at small markets called ‘haat’ in towns.
They live in the Giri and Tons River basins near the Himachal-Uttarakhand border.
Governed by - Traditional council called 'khumbli' which handles community matters.
Traditional Practices - Hatti men wear distinctive white headgear on ceremonial occasions.

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