(VOVworld) - Among the Van Kieu a wedding is an important event not only for the two families but for the whole village. After a period of dating, the boy and girl inform their families of their relationship and prepare a wedding. Modern weddings still involve rituals that are part of a long tradition.
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Wedding is a happy event of the whole community of Van Kieu |
Although their living conditions and costumes have evolved, the Van Kieu have preserved a number of cultural values and norms of their group. Customarily, the groom’s offering for the bride on the wedding day includes a copper pot, a silver coin, and a sword. Only when the groom hands over the sword to the bride, can the bride leave her house for the groom’s house. The sword-handing-over ceremony is an important wedding ritual which symbolizes that the bonding between the husband and wife is as important as that between the hilt and the blade. The sword symbolizes the man’s power and a family will prepare swords for all their sons.
The groom’s family prefers to bring the bride home in the evening because they think that’s the time the genies of the river and mountain are with the villagers. The bride walks into the groom’s house through the main gate. Ho Van Tang in Khe Tang hamlet says: "Before walking into the house, the bride and the groom have to step on a rock placed in front of the door. The rock symbolizes longevity, and steadfast, long-lasting love. Then they bow in front of the altar to inform their ancestors of the new bride."
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A tray of wedding dishes of the Van Kieu |
The mother-in-law pours water on the bride’s feet with a wish to wipe out all hardship and a prayer for the couple’s good luck. "The offering on the altar includes chicken, pork, alcohol, and fruits. The master of the ceremony informs the ancestors of a new daughter. The offering also includes a dress and a loin-cloth representing the couple."
Wedding guests give the couple round glutinous rice cakes and pieces of cloth. Besides beautiful wishes of happiness, longevity, and eternal love, they also sing happy folk songs. Tang says on the wedding day the mother-in-law teaches the young couple family etiquette. "The mother tells the young couple about production, lifestyle, and how to behave with old and young people in the family. She also tells them how to welcome and prepare meals to serve guests."
The Van Kieu usually choose an even date for the wedding ceremony, preferring the 6th, 8th, 10th, 16th, or 18th of the last months or beginning months of the year. The Van Kieu have a custom of organize two wedding ceremonies. The second ceremony, with similar procedures and offerings as the first, aims to enhance marital relations.