Tibetan Marriage

Both of Tibetan history and culture are mysterious and age-old, which attract numerous tourists and archaeologist. There are four major manifestation modes of Tibetan marriage, some of which succeeded the folk customs of old times.

Tibetan Marriage - Features

Monogamy

Monogamy is the most important manifestation mode of Tibetan marriage in Tibet nowadays. It is more popular in the towns in Tibet region as of now.

Polygamy

Polygamy was only available in serf owner family and merchant prince family in slave society. In grass-roots family, it is usually a man married two or more sisters in a family.

Polyandry

Polyandry is commonly available in farming area or businessman's family. Brothers usually get married with one girl, which the manifestation mode is formed and influence by the economy factor. Hence women become the center of such this family.

In farming and stockbreeding area, the wife usually lives in a Independent room in a house. Her husbands will stay with her alternately according to the age. When one of husbands stay with the wife, he should put his shoes outside and then other husbands will get away.

Another situation is the father and the son live with one wife. After the death of the ex-wife, the father will get married with a young girl who will also be the wife of the son. If the latter wife is a widow with her little girl, then her little girl will also become the wife of her stepfather's.

Tibetan Buddhist Marriage

Except Gelug Sect (Yellow Sect) Buddhist, other Buddhists could also get marry with girls. Their wedding is a religious ceremony.

Tibetan Marriage - Process

The folk custom of Tibetan marriage is different in different regions in Tibet. But the general important process of Tibetan marriage is introduced as following.

When pursue a marriage parter, his or her year of birth, birth date will be checked and see whether their representative of Chinese twelve animals match or not. Then the bridegroom's families will take the presents such as Hada, tea, or wine to the bride's home. If the bride's families are satisfied with the bridegroom, they will accept the gifts and present a Hada back.

When wedding ceremony held, the bridegroom will send the pretty clothes to the bride and then ride a pregnant beautiful horse to welcome his bride with a great man together. The pregnant beautiful horse should be the same as the representative Chinese animal as the bride's. If the couple meet any patient, or people who are going to take out the rubbish, or who take an empty basket on back one way home, it is regarded unlucky. Then the couple will ask the monks for help.

When the couple arrive home, the guest will present the Hada to them one by one to show their best wishes. Meanwhile, the singing and dancing performance will be held together.

Such the wedding ceremony will be held 3-7 days. On the afternoon of the last day, the couple will present the Hada back to each guest and then dance together. The wedding ceremony ends.