A few days later, she and Edgar moved in together. Either because of their isolation or their poverty, the Uros pay less attention to courting and marriage rites than other Aymaras, and most islanders live together for several years before marrying in church. Privacy is not a problem, since couples quickly leave their parents' homes and build a place of their own. Even so, Edgar would like to legitimize his union with Rosa. Rosa is in no hurry to tie the knot.
Most Uros women are confident that the partnership is secure once children have been born.
In the case of Rosa's younger sister, Basilia, that assumption was cruelly abused. She also became pregnant after a party, but her baby's father refused to acknowledge the child as his, and has now married another woman. Single mothers are unusual on the Uros and, although they shoulder some social stigma, their real worry is being a financial burden on the family. She explains that she needs a godmother for her baby Celia. Godmothers occupy a privileged position in Uros society, but in Basilia's case the role is especially important, because she is alone.