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Life Stages－Raiding party

Place：Fan Ling Road
Date：1963-12-06
Observation：The marriage ceremony seems to be a survival of marriage-by-capture, the groom’s family sending out an expedition to carry off the bride from her natal home by force. The expedition is led by martial flags, and accompanied by loud wind and percussion music. The flag bearers are often assaulted by the boys of the bride’s village, who throw stones and mud at them. Sometimes there are serious injuries, but it is all part of the ceremonial and there is never any question of the groom’s party coming away without the bride.