China Folklore Photographic Association::Wedding of She Nationality

Location : HomePage >> Folk China >> Fujian Province >> Picture Story

Wedding of She Nationality

by Chen Zhengming


"Phenix costume" of bride	Crying ceremony	Sacrificing the ancestor	Double bridesmaids

Only the groom kneel down	Cleaning ceremony	Entering the new room	Staying in the new room

Drinking	Sweet tea for guests

1. It is said the ancestor of She Nationality, a princess in ancient times married a man and moved to the Phenix Mountain. Until today the nationality worships the phenix for memorizing their ancestor. During a wedding, there must be written "Phenix Coming Here" in the living room. Certainly the bride will be dressed up like a phenix.
2. According to the tradition, the girl has to cry for three days before leaving home for appreciation to parents. Especially she will cry extremely while changing her hairstyle for the wedding, because the age of girl is going to finish.
3. The bride is sending to the groom's house by relatives. While the bridesmaids bringing out the offerings in the living room and the bride is singing the song for ancestor in the sedan-chair.
4. Two bridesmaids will be in the wedding, one is a unmarried girl and the other is a relative. Usually the relative will play the leading role in the wedding's ceremonies.
5. In the legend, the princess ancestor was granted not to kneel down to the King during her wedding. So the custom was carried today and only the bridegroom does instead of both.
6. The unmarried boys in the village will clean the tables, desks, cups and bowls for the wedding by happy singing and dancing. The rite is for wecloming the guests in a clean house.
7. As the wedding starts, the bride will go into the new room with the forfex, oil lamp, millet and etc. for exorcising. But her husband will entertain the guests outside.
8. The bride will stay in the new room for a day and night for praying a happy marriage, but the groom will drink with the guests for expressing his hospitality.
9. Nine unmarried boys will be invited with the groom in a table. They drink and eat according to the groom.
10. Until the end of the wedding, the bride will offer the guests sweet tea made of the jujube, peanut, and candy. And the guests will repay the red paper bag with money.