Marriage customs of the Bo Y in Quyet Tien commune, Quan Ba district, Ha Giang province

Abstract

This article describes the process of a traditional Bo Y wedding, which observes the following steps: 1) Clearing the way (the introduction, or marriage proposal); 2) Betrothal ceremony; 3) Announcement of the wedding date, and bringing of offerings; 4) Bringing the major offering on the wedding day; and 5) Meeting the bride, and bringing her home. Surrounding these processes, there are a number of ceremonies and other cultural activities. The marriage customs of the Bo Y help to maintain the cultural characters of this ethnic group. Nowadays, however, some of the traditional marriage customs have been altered, owing to their current living environment.