Changing Marriage Transactions and Rise of Demand System in Bangladesh

of Demand System in Bangladesh Rahauma Ahmed This study of muslims and christians in a Bangladesh village carried out in 1983-84 has the principal aim of obtaining an understanding of recent changes in marriage transactions and the nature of the new forms. The author offers, towards the end of the paper, 'tentative explanations regarding the growth of the demand system in Bangladesh, THIS paper focuses on marriage transactions and the changes taking place in these in present Bangladesh, in the earlier form of marriage the total expenses incurred by the groom's side (chele pakhya) outweighed those of the bridesside (meye pakhya). In the recent form, a noticeable change' has taken place, namely, the bride's side has to bear most of the expenses. A series of presentations are usually involved both before, at and after marriage. This giftgiving is increasingly becoming less and less voluntary; a new element has been added, that of 'demanding' a valued item, to be given by the bride's side to the groom as a condition for the marriage to take place. Items demanded may range from a job (in Dhaka or in the Middle East), watch: radio, land, cash, large number of groom's guests to be fed at the wedding feast, etc. This phenomenon is becoming near-universal in most Bangladeshi marriages.