context: Sati is set in the early nineteenth century before the Sati Act and when Brahminical Hinduism had reached its nadir.Uma, a mute Brahmin girl, lives with her uncle's family as she is an orphan. Since Uma has a faulty horoscope which indicate widowhood, the family finds it impossible to get her married off. According to a custom prevalent at the time, Uma is given in marriage to a tree!The tree that she is married to was Uma's childhood companion and the film is about the relationship between two mute creatures - the girl and the tree.However, Uma is taken advantage of by a resident school teacher. She becomes pregnant causing great embarrassment to the family.The one stormy night, Uma who had been banished from the family quarters to the cowshed, takes shelter from the storm under the tree (her 'husband'). That night the tree and the girl are truck by lightning and killed together.In the morning the villagers find the girl lying under the tree, blood all over her forehead like bridal vermilion. Ironically, it is her mute husband and friend, the tree, which saves Uma from her shame. It is the only symbol of virility in a society full of cowards.
question: What is her family having her marry?
answer: To a tree