The caste is a mixed occupational group, and those of Maratha,
Telugu and Hindustani extraction marry among themselves. A few wear
the sacred thread, and abstain from eating flesh or drinking liquor,
while the bulk of them do not observe these restrictions.
Among the Jingars women accompany the marriage procession, but not
with the Chitaris.
Widow-marriage is allowed, but among the Maharanas a wife who has lived
with her husband may not marry any one except his younger brother,
and if there are none she must remain a widow. In Mandla, if a widow
marries her younger brother-in-law, half her first husband's property
goes to him finally, and half to the first husband's children. If she
marries an outsider she takes her first husband's property and children
with her. Formerly if a wife misbehaved the Chitari sometimes sold
her to the highest bidder, but this custom has fallen into abeyance,
and now if a man divorces his wife her father usually repays to him
the expenses of his marriage. These he realises in turn from any
man who takes his daughter. A second wife worships the spirit of
the dead first wife on the day of Akhatij, offering some food and a
breast-cloth, so that the spirit may not trouble her.