Though it is said that the wedding ceremony of Evenki Ethnic Minority is tending to modernization, it still features ancient and traditional elements.
If a boy falls in love with a girl, his family will invite two matchmakers, usually one female and one male, to the girl’s family to propose a Marriage Tradition with two bottles of fine wine. This is commonly seen inNu ethnic minority, Lahu ethnic minority, and De’ang ethnic minority who usually take wines to propose. If the girl’s parents agree, they will tie a trip of red cloth on the bottle and toast the matchmakers; otherwise, the matchmakers need to come again. After the engagement, the boy’s family will send betrothal gifs to the girl, such as cows, horses, reindeer, pigs, wine, cloth and so on.
As the big day approaches, the groom’s family moves to a place near the bride’s house and cuts off the bark of the trees on the road to the bride’s home for the groom beforehand. On the wedding day, the groom is accompanied by their parents and relatives to pick up the bride. On the way to the bride’s home, an elder of groom’s family with the picture or statue of a God walk at the head of procession, the groom followed the elder, and the relatives of the groom as well as guys who take reindeers walk at the last. At the same time, the bride’s family needs to welcome the groom’s procession as well. When both sides meet, the new couple hugs, kisses and exchanges gifts. Usually, the bride presents a box curved with the head of reindeer to the groom, while the groom gives a handkerchief to the bride. Then they choose two best reindeers and go to the bride’s home to attend the wedding banquet with all the relatives.
After arriving at the bride’s house, the groom should show respects to and answer questions from elders of the bride’s side. Meanwhile, the bride sends smoke pocket, wallet, and new shoes to the groom. Then the bride’s parents give bowls of porridge to the new couple, and they exchange with each other to indicate that they have got to know each other.
The formal wedding ceremony of Evenki ethnic groupis held outdoor rather than indoor. The guests light up a needfire on the hirst cleared up in advance and sit in a half circle around the fire. It is an elder who announces the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Firstly he asks the new couple to splash a bottle of wine to the fire, then the new couple toasts to each guest. According to local wedding rituals, the groom has to stay at the home of parents-in-law for that night and return to his home with her wife the next day.
