The "benja" process is as follows. The "agua", a mediator who negotiates between the two families, approaches the bride's father to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage for the groom. Then the groom and his family visit the bride's house with gifts of rice, "handia" (rice-beer), and animals. By the taking of the food, the bride's family accepts the groom's proposal. The groom's party prepares their food, celebrates with the bride's family in the evening, and returns to their village. The bride's relatives then visit the groom's village. Next, the two families settle on a bride price, called "kania muli hessu" or "sukha mula". The price is paid in rice and may be 10 "khani", equivalent to 1 quintal of rice, and is paid by the groom's father to the bride's family. One the "kania mula" is settled, the date of marriage is fixed with the consent of the "kalo", or village priest. Since marriage is time-consuming it can only take place after the harvest, where there is little work to do in the field.