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Barag Wedding on Hulun Buir Grassland
As the Hunlun Buir Grassland covers a vast area and the Barag people are
sparsely scattered, sometimes, it takes a day or several days for the wedding
procession to reach the bride's home. In modern times, however, the Barag people
have begun to use cars for at their wedding day.
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Barag Grassland | As is thea custom,
the bridegroom's family usually sends for a team to receive the escorting
procession and serve wine and cigarettes to the distinguished guests. After
that, the two teams will head off to the bridegroom's home, where people are
waiting anxiously wait. Upon arrival, the escorting procession will circle the
yurt clockwise for three times laps before and then dismounting by the side of
the hitching post.
In accordance with Barag customs of marriage, the bride cannot enter the
bridal chamber until the entire all the dowerydowry has been moved in. The most
interesting is the custom of beating the pillow, when people fight to beat the
bride's pillow with a stick. This signifies is meant to washing away the dust
for the newlyweds so that they will stay loyal to each other. After a fit of
buzzing and bustle and commotioning, the escorting people are invited into the
yurt in the order of seniority.
Right after the wedding ceremony, the bride goes to the kitchen and sets to
prepare milk-tea. It is a long-existing tradition for the bride to serve the
milk-tea she first prepares after marriage to the guests, which not only shows
her cooking abilities but also marks the beginning of her being a part of the
family.
After the bride's milk-tea, it is time for the escorting procession to return
start their way home. The bride's elders will usually make it a point of
especially exhort ing the newlyweds to respect the elders, and love the young
and to live in love and harmony. Then, the bridegroom's family members will
toast and bid farewell to them. Afterwards, Following that, the quickest lad
among the escorting procession will grab the silver bowl and ride away, who are
to then be chased by the rider sent for by the bridegroom's part. Vying for the
silver bowl is seen as a comparison and competition of skills and strength
between the two families.
Among good wishes and farewells, the escorting procession set foot on their
way back, while people gather ed at the bridegroom's family to give themselves
over to dances and songs, as nd a the bonfire will stay burns ing until dawn.
Author: Jessie
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