Family is very very important in Karnatka. A woman will leave her family and be absorbed into her husband's family. Mothers and Fathers will live with the youngest son and he will take care of them into their old age. Cousins are often called brother or sister. While all adults are "antie and uncle" there are special words for your mother's sister and husband and your father's brother and wife. They are considered special because tradition/myths in the region said that one's mother's sister and father's brother were related to them by blood where as one's mother's brother and father's sister had more distant physical connections. Also there is a holiday in the region called Raksha Bandhan where a sister ties a rakhi (a sacred thread) around her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother and the brother's vow to protect his sister. Family is very important in Karnatka.
Sister tying the rakhi to her brother's writs.
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