My brother marries a Jingpo in rural China: Marriage ceremony and the wedding day scene

In the ceremony itself my brother is dressed in a Jingpo suit and given a Jingpo bag, hat and sword, emblematic of joining them by marriage. The sword itself was a beauty--razor sharp steel, dragon-etched, with a silver scabbard.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• jingpo
• wedding
• yunnan
• china
• sword

[Twinshayi]

The Jingpo man or maybe the bride dad is talking to your brother in jingpo language for the Sword and Beg. Does your brother speak Jingpo ?if he doesn't understand Jingpo, he might feel so noisy.

[stickpictures]

@Twinshayi -- Thanks for your comment. Yes, my brother speaks Jingpo. I learned a little when we were there, too. Mostly the phrases for "drink up!", how to say thank you, and how to say "No more food, I'm full!" That last one was really useful given how generous and hospitable the family was. "Can't eat any more!"

[hkunhtoi]

Good to see your brother married to Kachin girl with Jingpo traditional cultural. I can see your brother have given a clan name by one of girl's relative (dama). Now I am sure they included your family into their clan. It's a triangle kinship we Jingpo have; brother -->clan that one can marry- "mayu side") -->(clan that one give- "dama side"). In ceremony i can see your brother have received a sword, a symbol to protect his wife and a bag to find all necessities items to support his family.

[stickpictures]

@hkunhtoi

That's really interesting--thanks! Your description of the meaning of the sword and bag matches what we were told. (I was also given a Jingpo bag and hat, though no sword--too expensive! Also some seed to give to them to plant in their new home in the US.) They certainly made us *feel* like family and we're hoping to see them all again soon. We're trying to arrange for Aju's mother and father to visit the US this summer.

[kyawlinnaung]

oops, millions of jingpo people are living in kachin state of burma,(myanmar)

[stickpictures]

Hi kyawlinnaung. That's true and thanks for pointing it out. This wedding took place in the village of Gibei, a couple hours' drive (+ a 3-4 hour climb) from Mongshi in Yunnan province.

[Twinshayi]

Awww that''s good I am jingpo too.I'm so happy to see the videos that you all are learning about the culture of jingpo.

[kiki29240]

Damn cool !!! Damn Nice

[audizane]

beautiful......just let your brother and his wife know that there are thousands of kachin from burma( jingpho in china) living in america.....myself in florida

[NewEnglandAquarium]

Long story, but briefly: they met in Shanghai when Robert was working in China, as he does periodically. And yes, we're from the U.S. Rob's living with his wife in Michigan now, and they have a beautiful baby boy. They've been back to see her family a few times and we're hoping her family can come to the US for a visit soon. I would LOVE to see them again, as my wife and I haven't been able to afford another trip to China.

[NewEnglandAquarium]

Thanks Geikoyura. I think part of the reason it was so elaborate and beautiful was that they wanted an opportunity to do a full-blown traditional wedding instead of the more Western-style ones that are becoming more common.

I'll pass your comment along to my brother. I'm sure he'll be very interested.