In this, the last of three related articles, the writer indicates the main variations in marriage ceremonies of South African Hindus, and interprets the underlying social values. Clear cut differences in social regulations and ritual detail survive between the so-called “orthodox”, Tamil, and Hindustani, and within these linguistic-cultural groups are further variations related to caste, modern ideas, alternative books, status of the individuals (widowed, divorced, devotees of specific deities). Brahminic influence is greater among the Hindustani of all castes, than among the Tamil. Marriages of the “reform” groups resemble each other more closely, and are characterized by greater weight being attached to individual choice before marriage; the prominence of the bride, as well as the groom, in the ritual; the irrelevance of caste; and the trend towards simplicity of ritual according to a pre-Brahminic ideal. Hindu marriages in South Africa are essentially religious and this is clearly recognized by the interpretation given by laymen as well as scholars to the elaborate symbols. The main aims of the ritual are purification and the underwriting of dharma (righteous conduct) expressed in personal and kinship obligations, and these aims persist even though all marriages are affected by the South African milieu.
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