The family is of joint type, with father, mother unmarried and married sons and daughter and their children living in the same house. The interpersonal relations in the family are that of love, cordiality and mutual respect. The head of the family is the eldest male member and commands great respect. His decision on all family matters is final, which is usually arrived at after taking all factors into account. Conflict and confrontation never comes up but if ever occurs, it is due to the checking of freedom of youngsters and on property matters. Avoidance is observed between a woman and her husband’s elder male relatives for about a year after marriage, after which it is not strictly observed. Joining relationship exists between a man, his wife and their younger male and female relatives. The inheritance of property is in the male line according to the locally recognized mode of inheritance known as chundaband and mundaband. According to the former, the property at the first instance is divided into the number of wives and subsequently each share is further sub- divided according to the number of sons. According to the letter, all sons, legal or illegal, inherit the father’s property equally. Children on being taken by the divorced mother lose right to their biological father’s property; but can inherit on returning to their father or can share the father’s property in the event of their mother getting remarried. Gaddis go as far as having to erect stones to quieten the spirits of childless couples who disturb others’ sleep. Women had no right to inheritance as per the traditional old social laws. Her social position is regarded as equal to that of the husband. She works equally with her husband in agricultural work expect for pouching. She is also responsible for the collection of fuel and fodder, both for immediate use and for storing them for use in winter months. She traditionally did not work outside the four walls of the house but recently the educated girls have taken up jobs in various occupations and are working outside the house and adding to their family income. They also take part in all social, religious and ritual activities. Though girls’ participation was limited traditionally to the casting to votes in elections, today they have started becoming more active and some have been nominated and members at the Block level. In addition to all her work outside the house, she also attends to all the household chores, which include cooking food and looking after the children. In spite of the tremendous role of women as an indispensable part of the Gaddi economy, they do not have any decision making powers in family matters, though they provide opinion/thoughts and do manage the family expenditure.
Restrictions on the movement on the enceinte women exist. The Kailubir is propitiated for the safe delivery of the child. Sutak is observed for a period of 11 days till which time all auspicious ceremonies are deferred. The mother is also not allowed to do any household work until shuddhi takes place. Six months after the birth of a child Kirpu or sugru is celebrated, which a ceremony is observed jointly for naming and cereal- taking. This is followed by jattu ceremony, which is celebrated on the third, fifth or the seventh year.
The dead are cremated, with the last rites being performed by the eldest male member. The mortal remains are then collected and either taken to Haridwar in Ganges or thrown into any river. The house is considered and polluted for a period of 13 days; the rituals connected with the dead are observed at chha-mah (six month), barhi (twelve months) and chobarhi (four years) after the death. Ancestors are worshipped annually during the days of shradh.
For solving family disputes, caste of theft and for maintenance of traditional norms the people of the community have their traditional bhaichara Panchayat, which is headed by a set of people who act as the jury and who are elected by general consensus. The guilty are punished by social boycott, or fine in cash or kind, depending on the gravity of the crime. Though the Gram Panchayat has come up after independence for exercising social control, planning and implementing welfare and development activities, yet people have greater faith in their traditional panchayats.
FAITHS
The community professes Hinduism, with emphasis on the worship of Lord Shiva and faith in Shakti cults. This land is called Shiv Bhumi. They are basically Hindus by religion and have very staunch belief in the gods. In fact one would find every household would have its own family temple in the courtyard. In fact every serious illness or special occasions are marked by a ‘Jatra’ or a pilgrimage to distant temples on the great heights of the Himalayas.They also have faith in Kailu Bir, Nag Deota, Khetra pal and Bambir, Each being a presiding power over natural resources. Ancestor are worshipped and propitiated as family Deities for the welfare of the family. Sacred specialists are invited for performing family rituals.