Marriage Change among Ma Lieng People in Rao Tre Village, Huong Lien Commune, Huong Khe District, Ha Tinh Province.

Abstract

In Ha Tinh province, Ma Lieng is one of the few minority sub-ethnic groups which still have maintained many cultural aspects expressing clearly their ethnic identity, including marriage. In the recent years, under impacts of the market economy, quick cultural exchange and integration together with the guidelines, policies for care of life of the Vietnamese Communist Party and central government, marriage of Ma Lieng people has had changes in conception, nature, principles, wedding etiquette, etc. Besides from positive aspects such as reduction of heavy burden for bridegroom family and unnecessary and costly formalities, increase of mix-ethnic marriages which creates harmony and reduces the risk of ethnic race degradation, the issues of close consanguineous marriage and preservation of ethnic cultural identity still need to be paid attention on.