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.
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 said, "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."
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.
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 said 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.
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