Marriage is entirely a social institution, and no religious elements
appear to have entered into it. Traditionally the ceremony, if there was
any at all, consisted of a “chief” (respected man) throwing a blanket over
the shoulders of a couple at a dance. Ceremonial gatherings, such as the
pine-nut dances and the girls’ dances were important in the selection of
marriage partners, inasmuch as boys and girls came together at these
gatherings to engage in flirtation, affairs, and courtship. Dreamers at
the “big times” are reported by informants to have exhorted married
couples to be good to each other and not fight (see also Lowie 1939, p.
303).