Marriage

Marriage between partners are not recognized the same as here. A small group of people, usually two but sometimes more, can publicly declare a 'personal commitment' or 'loving commitment'. Commitments between groups of more than two can and do occur and polyamorous relationships occur more frequently amongst the 'Naha' than here.

They do not have engagements. They have brief affairs (erud), longer term relationships (upzuts) and they can have commitments of other varying styles (depending on region and local customs).

As considerable familial support is already provided by the extended family in a 'nahum', the usual reason for such a declaration is sexual exclusivity. However sometimes members of a 'nahum' may feel that an insecure or emotionally fragile person would prefer the security of a closer, more intimate bond with fewer people. For this reason 'marriages' of three or four people cannot be directly compared with polyandry or polygamy practices here, but these are far more common in E-Zero and are not considered anything special.

It is also common for women who wish to have a child by natural means to select a partner who is already in an exclusive arrangement. It is not uncommon for them to join the arrangement for this purpose and then leave, provided all parties are agreeable. In our culture such an arrangement seems strange at best, but for the 'Naha' this is quite common.

Children and family planning is normally managed by the woman but the father-to-be may have a say and often the 'nahum' is involved in the decision too. However it is not compulsory and can vary wildly between 'nahum'.

Details of how 'marital' declarations (pubityog) are done vary considerably from region to region. In some places it is formalized into a ceremony and a party, in others it is a very informal affair.

Members of a 'nahum' will often share bedrooms and can live together for extended periods, sometimes decades. Often this is because the couple want to have children or they simply enjoy each other's company. Sometimes a partner may have a short affair or temporarily leave and then return later. This is considered normal behaviour and co-habitation does not necessarily imply marriage or exclusivity.

'Naha' marriages are considered to be social contracts between consenting partners and are over-seen by the 'nahum'. They have no legal standing. Having said this, there can often be emotional conflicts arising from such complex arrangements. Relationships and 'Relationship Management' have therefore become an important part in 'Naha' life and even form one of the basic subjects taught to children from an early age.

There is a tendency for the major earners in a 'nahum' to be given special treatment when it comes to sex. There is generally more respect and emotional support given to those upon whom the 'nahum' relies; thus there's a natural tendency to 'emotionally support' those members but this is by no means a rule, merely a custom. There is no legislation or requirement for this and the extent of a 'nahum's support' for key members varies considerably.

There is a well known stereotype of the 'Alpha-Male' or 'Alpha-Female' in 'Naha' society. Variations in customs, their effects and the psychology behind it all are covered 'Relationship Management', a subject in which the leaders of a 'nahum' are expected to be qualified.