However, this was the only example discovered of such a practice, and the family herd was larger than any other in the village. This was felt by the team to be a major gender disparity, in terms of more limited educational opportunities available for rural girls. Property relations Property relations differ among Sikkimese ethnic groups. Marriages are not arranged. Among both Lepchas and Bhutias, all property, either moveable or immovable, belongs to the father, or male head of household.
Women have no legal right to family property.
This practice is described in the RRA report, and is known as pewa. As both Bhutias and Lepchas are scheduled tribes they are not subject to the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, which was extended to Sikkim in 1989. Custody of children and of household property is determined by customary law, which relies on elders to resolve custody issues. Bhutia and Lepcha daughters have no rights of inheritance to their fathers' properties, even when there are no sons. Bhutia and Lepcha women who marry outside of their ethnic group forfeit their rights to any personal and pewa property.