The Giay ethnic people in the north-western mountainous province of Lai Chau consider the wedding, including the bride-welcoming ceremony, to be the happiest event in the couple’s life.
The Giay ethnic people, also known as the Nhang, Dang, Pu Na, Cui Chu, and Xa ethnic people, have a population of about 25,000 living in most of districts of Lai Chau province.
Due to their long history of development, the Giay ethnic people have a rich and diverse culture.
One of their unique and special cultural traditions is the bride-welcoming ceremony as part of the wedding.
The wedding normally takes place at the end of the year, after the rice harvest.
Before the bride-welcoming ceremony, the Giay ethnic couple must go through a number of customary rituals such as engagement and bargaining.
Going to the bride’s house are two matchmakers, the bridegroom, the groomsman, and a group of people carrying the offerings.
The offerings include a can of white wine, two boxes of cakes and two baskets of chickens.
Along the way, the ceremonial music team play the trumpet until they reach the bride’s house.
Playing the pipe is also to attract villagers to join the delegation of the bridegroom.
The two matchmakers play an important role in the wedding ceremony of the Giay ethnic people.
The gate of the bride’s house is tied horizontally with a red string, and one of the matchmakers performs the ritual, asking for the permission from the bride’s relatives to open the gate.
Then representatives of the bride’s family splash water over the bridegroom’s family members, a customary ritual they believe to wash away dust and bad luck.
The representatives of the bride’s family challenge the matchmakers with cups of wine to pray for good luck and connect the two families.
By performing songs and playing the trumpet, the bridegroom’s family persuade the bride’s family to remove the red string and welcome them into the house.
After the bridegroom’s family representative completes the ceremony, relatives of both families talk about the future life of the couple.
They all raise a toast wish the couple happiness in future.
After the ceremony, the bridegroom takes home the bride in joy and happiness.
Along the way home, the bride is covered with a red scarf according to the traditional customs of the Giay ethnic people.
The couple are filled with joy when the bridegroom takes off the bride’s scraf, signaling the beginning of their married life.
After the wedding ceremony, the young couple start a new life.
Vietnamnet.vn
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