Jackknife Marriage
The Mosattan Jackknives have a different view of marriage and see it more of an eternal friendship rather than one of making families and sharing love or romance.
In this regard, it is not unusual for people of different gender expressions, sexualities or even races and ethnicities to be married. Furthermore, a marriage can involve more than two people.
These people must share a deep friendship that has lasted healthily for over 5 years (10 if most of it was as children).
Once someone wishes to marry, all people within this marriage must be in agreement that they will stay united as friends until death. To make it official, each member must gain permission from their family leader. Once all the formalities are sorted, the marriage can begin.
Families are not required in a big ceremony, but may attend if they wish. The members will gather together and be tattooed with a matching tattoo on the back of their hand. The design will often encompass meaningful elements from each of the families involved.
After marriage they will remain and live together as a group and support each other in their endeavours.
History
If a person has no hand or limb to be inked they cannot marry. This is a historical tradition that stems from the practise of cutting off the hands of thieves and rapists. The tradition made it so that the unworthy would not be allowed a partnership in life.
If you have already married and then lose a hand (even in battle or an accident) you are no longer legally bound to that individual or group.
A married person cannot re-marry as they would still have a tattoo.
If a person wishes to divorce from a marriage, their tattoo must be branded with a hot iron.
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