Chakma marriage is generally settled through negotiations.  The average age of marriage for girls are 15 to 16 and for boys, 22 to 24.  There is a system of paying bride price varying from Rs.40/- to Rs.50/- to  the father of the girl. The boy’s relations go to the girls’ house on a fixed day when they are welcomed with decoration of water filled pitchers, banana plants, lights, etc. The boys party, thereafter, gives presents to the girls parents consisting of ornaments, clothes, etc. The bride wears these adornments and gets the blessings of the elders.  Next day, the parents bid-good bye to the daughter. In the boy’s house the bride is received with chanting of prayers.  The couple is tied together with a new piece of cloth.  Cooked rice with boiled eggs and some betel leaves and nuts are offered to the couple.  Marriages are performed with the consent of parents.

Men are not monogamous. A man can take more than one wife, if he can afford it.  Widow remarriage is allowed.  A woman, after her husband’s death, gives up wearing ornaments and colourful clothes.  Divorce is permitted in certain situations.

Inheritance among the Chakmas is only through the male line.  In the absence of sons, daughters inherit.

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