My cousin, Yin Kuan, got married on Sunday to a lucky bloke named Ding. In the morning, the family went to her house for the traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony. I thought it was going to be a stuffy, formal affair where the new couple would politely introduce themselves to every member of the family while offering a cup of tea. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was much more than that.
Ding has no idea what's in store for him...
The fun started when Ding was invited to bring his bride down from her room. As part of the custom, he found his way blocked by her best friends who were jealously guarding the stairway. They told him (and his friends) that he would have to prove his love to get by them. The first test was to choose between two cups: one with salt water and the other with sugar water. He would have to drink down one.
Thou shall not pass!
He chose the left hand and got the salty water (i was told later that both hands held salty water - the "guardian" lied). With a grimace he chugged it down. Then he was asked to wash that down with 2 liters of Coke and 2 liters of Sprite (!!!). After much protest, he drank that too (with a little help from his friends). Then the lads were asked to do push ups to prove their manliness and strength - to better protect the new wife, they said. That's where the guys refused. They had already done so much and they were still at the foot of the staircase! So the bridegroom walked out in mock disgust.
Yin Kuan, her mother and me
That's where they enlisted the help of the bride's mother. While she distracted the guardian ladies, they men rushed them, climbed over them, held them aside and stormed the stairs! In seconds they were at the bride's door. But she didn't want to open it, not without "tests" of her own. She made him sing love songs (to his great embarassment), answer riddles and compose poetry for her! In the end, she relented, opened the door and as husband and wife, they greeted their guests.
Mr and Mrs Ding - what a name!
The traditional Chinese dinner came later that night. The food was great, the company was better and spirits were high. My cousin was now Mrs Ding. I'm two years younger. Shall it be my turn soon i wonder?
Leave a comment