Changes of marriage customs of the Islamic Cham in An Giang province

Abstract

By using experimental research and interdisciplinary methods, the authors refers to marriage relationships of the Islamic Cham in An Giang province in the two following terms: conceptions of the marriage, and customs and habits during the marriage ceremony. The Islamic Cham in this province have combined these two factors, which are seen as incompatible: the matriarchy in their traditional society and Islamism, which represents the patriarchy. This article also points out current changes in marriage practices of the Islamic Cham in An Giang province. These changes are expressed in both opinions and practices of the ceremony. There are various reasons for these changes. Among them, major factors include open relations and cultural exchange with other ethnic communities, impacts of the means of communication and the observation of the governmental laws. The above-mentioned changes obviously lead to a new cultural phenomenon which is diverse and conforms to the logical necessity of the integration-oriented society.