The Function of Marriage Customary Law among Turkmen of Iran

This paper is based on the research and analysis of marriage among Turkmens of Iran. The research method of this paper is based on the quantitative research method, observation and participant observation, deep and open interview and also based on the documentation on Turkmen people of Iran. In this paper we are going to introduce Turkmen ethnic group of Iran briefly and then to mention some key characteristics of this ethnic group on which its culture is based upon and has shaped this group like a homogeneous texture including different elements. Among the important features of Turkmen society, studied in this paper, the following items are significant: Endogamy, Patrilineality, Patriarchy, Patrilocality and many other customary law and also mandatory marriage. We will start the discussion with talking about customary law and the price of marriage (dower) and after that the reasons which show the role of the price of marriage for all different classes will be discussed. Some of the characteristics of the price of marriage are: the value of dower is the same for all types of families in villages or towns, and at the same time it is flexible in different conditions depending on the type of marriage: either it is inside or outside marriage. These elements are the basics which construct Turkmen ethnic society and are necessary for this study.