The Muria - Where Children Rule

Kingdom of the Young
The Muria cherish their youth.
In the villages the young people have a house of their own - the ghotul - where they gather in the evenings and
enjoy their time; boys and girls together; without any supervising adults. The girls of the ghotul are called ‘motiari’
and the boys ‘chelik’. Once they enter the ghotul - usually before puberty - each youngster will receive a secret
ghotul name. The boys and girls elect a leader for each respective group called ‘sirdar’ and ‘belosa’. Together
they ensure that the rules of the house are observed by everyone. For the ghotul, as Elwin describes, is no place
of disorder. Each member has certain social tasks assigned which have to be carried out.
The ghotul is also the youth dormitory of the village. The motiari and chelik enjoy sexual freedom. This does
not mean, though, that there are no rules or taboos. While at some places permanent couples used to pair off
this is described even at the times of Elwin as a practice outdated. Thus at most ghotuls partners are changed
on a regular basis - and this is a must! The sirdar and belosa will oversee that no jealousy or preferences on the
basis of looks or popularity will arise.
Once they get married the Muria have to leave the ghotul.
From now on they will lead a normal and monogamous family life. Adultery is strictly disapproved of. Marriage
often takes place between cousins and is strongly discouraged between couples that have been members of the
same ghotul. It is said that exceptional romantic affairs do occur but are not the rule as the ghotul system encourages
intimacy and friendship between all the youngsters rather than between exclusive couples.
David Orr, a recent visitor to the Muria who reported about his journey on the Internet (source now unavailable),
quotes a motiari about this topic: “If a boy and girl fall in love, then they must leave the ghotul. They may
marry if their parents allow it. Or they may come back to the ghotul if they accept a punishment and agree to give
each other up.”
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