Tao Tim and Tao Sun also has a younger sister called Wai Lan (陳慧蘭). It happened that her younger son was getting married on Tuesday while we were visiting. It was just great that I can meet another close relative and witness a Chinese wedding first hand. Early Tuesday morning after a quick breakfast with congee and deep fried dumplings, Tao Sun and his driver picked us up at 7:15 AM and took us over to greet the arrival of the bride at Wai Lan’s house. I was wondering why they started “The receiving of the Bride” so early in the morning but was told it was a good time according to the Chinese Almanac - “the Good Book”.
The drive was about 15 minutes back to town and upon arrival we saw four cars all decorated with paper flowers and streamers were already parked at the end of the block from Wai Lan’s house. The wedding party was there but the bride and groom and a good-looking young boy were still sitting in the car. What were they waiting for, I wondered? Later, I was told they had to wait for the precise time according to the Good Book to get out and walk into the house to start their new life. The good-looking young boy was to accompany the bride to her new home, he then will sit on the new bed so he can bring good karma so the couple can conceive a (good-looking) male child.
At 7:40 AM the wedding party got out of the car and started to walk toward the house. A long string of firecrackers (strung almost a block long along the path) was lit and smoke and thunderous noise filled the street. The bride and groom and the boy walked quickly to avoid the explosion of the firecrackers. At the entrance of the house, the bride had to step over a bundle of burning straw (so the evil spirit would not hide under her skirt) before her entering.
They got to their newly decorated room, and sure enough, had the boy sat on the new bed. This practice also brought back old memories as I was once used to do the same as a young boy at my cousin Nin’s wedding night. I sat on their bed some 45 years ago and my cousin since had 4 boys (Albert, Benny, Chris and David). I could have made a fortune at weddings if I only knew of my potential when I was young.
Rice wine was served and they toasted each other. They were also served soup with two hard boiled eggs and two meat balls (great fertility symbols). We were also served the rice wine and soup and eggs. Not really wanted any help in fertility, but I was glad for the tasty treat.
We left Wai Lan’s house around 9:00 AM and Tao Sun suggested to visit the local temple which was on top of the hill overlooking Xingning, not far from Tao Tim’s house. It was very scenic and we got a great view of the city.
Noon time at the restaurant, was more eating (18 courses) and the newlywed actually had their ceremony in front of all the guests. They presented tea to their respective parents and relatives and went around all the tables to toast everyone. All the young men got around to play little games with the bride and groom. A tradition that was quite common in the Chinese culture. The groom with toasting from all his friends was overindulged with the cognac and got pretty drunk at the end of the banquet.
After the banquet, Tao sun also took me to the Hakka Museum in Meizhou (Chinese: 梅州; pinyin: Méizhōu) is a prefecture-level city of eastern Guangdong Province in the south of the People's Republic of China. It has an area of 15,836 km², and a population of 5.05 million. Meizhou is honored with the Hometown of Culture, Hometown of the Overseas Hakka Chinese and Hometown of Football. (Wikipedia) The visit had gained me a great insight of my people....the Hakka (Guest Family). Will tell you more later.
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