The elder people
tell us that marriage in Qinghai can be generally divided into four
steps as following: |
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First, Getting Engaged
After a matchmaker made a match, the parents of the
new couple will go to girl’s house to see the future bride. In general,
the bridegroom will give a gift to the girl if he would like her to be
his bride. The gift is accepted, the girl’s parents agree on the
marriage. And the first step of the whole matrimony is done. If the
bridegroom doesn’t give a gift to the girl or the gift is turned down,
the matrimony is failed. |
Interviews the farmer
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Second, Asking for Betrothal
Gifts
Usually the bride’s parents will go to the
bridegroom’ house to ask for some clothing, jewelry, furniture and cash
as betrothal gifts when the engagement is done. The bridegroom’s parents
can bargain with them and the matchmaker will mediate too until the
agreement is reached. |
Gift |
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Third, Sending Betrothal Gifts
The bridegroom’s parents are in charge of
sending betrothal gifts to bride’s home. They will buy the betrothal
gifts according to the gift list asked by bride’s parents. Not all the
things on the list will prepared. It depends on the economic condition
of bridegroom’s parents. If the bride’ parents feel satisfied, they will
fill a bottle with wheat when the bridegroom’s parents leaving. If not,
peas instead. And the bridegroom’s parents need to prepare the rest of
things on the list that they didn’t buy and go to bride’s home again to
send the gifts. |
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Fourth, to Marry the Bride
The most important part of the whole
wedding custom comes to marring the bride after the three steps as
above. It is divided into four parts: getting married, accompanying the
bride to bridegroom's family on wedding day, |
The marriage is liveliest |
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