A Great Basin Ute Bridegroom (1906)
In 1906, this groom from the Ute nation in the Great Basin cultural area sat down for a photograph in ceremonial clothes. As dressed up as he was, though, the Ute (and other Great Basin nations) did not have a huge, formal wedding ceremony. The couple simply started living together, usually in the bride’s family household, at least until children were born. Sexual relations were acceptable for both men and women prior to the marriage, serving as a way to explore a possible ‘trail marriage.’
Marriages were monogamous, as less than 10% of Ute practiced polygamy. But marriage to close blood relatives, including first and second cousins, was taboo. In many Great Basin nations, once the couple agreed to marry, the groom would live with the bride’s family, at least until children were born. At that point, they would move back with the groom’s family.
