A sarbala, in certain wedding customs from the Indian subcontinent, is a nephew or cousin of the groom who accompanies the groom during the ceremony as his protector. The sarbala often wears a similar outfit to the groom and rides a horse. The tradition is most common in Hindu weddings but may also be part of Muslim or Sikh ceremonies. The Sarbala is a much younger male (though there are no strict guide lines on age of participant) then the Groom. For example, a groom may be close to a male cousin similar in age to him but is unlikely to ask him to take on the role of the Sarbala.