4 unusual weddings rituals from around the world
Wedding is an extremely special occasion, no matter in which corner of the world you live. Most couples like to celebrate their wedlock with all the traditional customs and rituals. The Indian sindoor daan, the Irish ‘tie the knot’ (literally), the Chinese tea ceremony, the Islamic meher exchange, the Philippine dove release and the Jewish bedeken (veiling) are some popular wedding rituals around the globe. Let’s shed some light on how regional customs and ceremonies vary across different parts of the world. Here are four of the most bizarre wedding customs that exist even today.
China: The bride practises a crying ritual
Although shedding a few tears is normal at wedding ceremonies, in some regions of China, it is a ritual! Yes, you heard it right! In several regions of Sichuan Province in southwest China, the practice of crying during the marriage was prevalent for a very long period until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Although, it’s not common now, the Tujia people, living in the Hunan Province of China, still see it as an essential part of the marriage ceremony.
According to historical records, Princess Zuo Tang in the western Sichuan region of Zhao state got married during the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). While leaving, the princess’s mother sobbed and begged her to come back as soon as possible. The incident was later referenced as the start of the ‘weeping marriage’ tradition. According to this tradition, known as Zuo Tang (meaning sitting in the hall), brides from Tujia are supposed to cry for an hour every day for a month prior to the ceremony. Their mothers join 10 days into the process, the grandmas follow ten days later and if there’s any sisters or aunts, they have to join too! Interestingly, the bride can cry in a variety of ways, for example, while singing. This is known as, the ‘Crying Marriage Song.’
Korea: The bride’s mother is given a goose
Receiving accessories or cash or gifts for their new house to newlyweds for starting their new life together is a common custom across the world. But in Korea, a kireogi, or wild goose, is handed by the prospective groom to the future mother-in-law during the Jeonanrye ritual. In this ritual, Girukabi (the person leading the way) hands the wild goose (wooden goose) to the groom after reaching the bride’s home. After bowing twice before his future mother-in-law, the groom gives the kireogi to her. The wild goose is a monogamous animal that mates for life. The groom offers his mother-in-law a goose, in turn committing a lifetime of love and care for the bride. In modern days, brides and grooms in Korea exchange wooden geese (won-ang seteu) and ducks as symbols of their commitment. Wow!
Australia: Guests are given a special stone during the wedding
A unique tradition is observed in Australian weddings. It is known as the ‘Unity Bowl’. Upon arrival at the wedding, guests are given stones or pebbles to hold on to throughout the ceremony. They are then asked to deposit the stones in a gorgeous bowl that is later given to the newlyweds as a symbol of love from guests, friends and family. The Unity Bowl has to be filled with bright stones. The colours represent the diversity that each friend and family member contributes to the couple’s life. How thoughtful!
Fiji: The groom proposes the bride with a whale tooth!
You might have seen a man proposing his lady love with a diamond ring, but things are a bit bizarre in Fiji, where a tooth of a sperm whale is more precious than the diamond. It is customary for a young groom to offer his bride’s father a whale tooth while asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage and before proposing to her! The gift is referred to as a tabua (sacred), and for more than 300 years, it has symbolised love, devotion, strength and good fortune in marriages. In Fiji, tabua symbolises ultimate respect. Although this ritual is more prevalent in rural regions, it is practised throughout Fiji.