As a child, Orola Dalbot really liked her stepfather. He was kind and good-looking. However, Orola was horrified when she found out that the man was not only her stepfather – he was her husband! Orola was married at the age of 3 in the same wedding as her mother to the same man, but she did not find out that she was married until she turned 13.
The unusual marriage relationship came about because of an old custom of Orola’s tribe, the Mandi people of Bangladesh. Orola’s mother Mittamoni was widowed at the age of 25. According to tribal rules, for Mittamoni to remarry – she had to marry someone in the same family clan as her deceased husband. The problem was, and is for many other women in the Mandi tribe, that there weren’t many unmarried men available who were both of marrying age and of the correct family clan. So, Mittamoni’s only option for a groom was a 17-year-old man. When a Mandi widow marries a much younger man, tribal tradition requires that the widow offer her daughter as a sort of “alternate bride” to take over the wifely duties (yes, ALL of them) when the daughter comes of age.
Mothers and daughters share a lot, but can you imagine having to share a husband with your mom? The multi-marriage took a toll on Orola’s relationship with her mother, particularly when their shared husband began to prefer his younger bride. Her mother apparently went so far as to spike Orola’s food to make her sick, so that Mittamoni could have a night with their husband.
Hopefully, none of our blog readers have a family situation THIS complicated. But whatever your family drama involves – The Wright Firm is here to help you! If you have an ongoing or potential divorce, child custody case, child support case, or other family law issue be sure to give us a call at (972) 353-4600 or check us out on the web at www.thewrightlawyers.com!
Original story can be found here: http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/article.aspx?cp-documentid=30351206>1=32002
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