Guizhou Ethnic Marriage Customs Museum

Guizhou Ethnic Marriage Customs Museum

The Guizhou Ethnic Marriage Customs Museum was established in October 1989 within the Liu Family Manor.

The museum’s exhibition on the marriage customs of Guizhou’s ethnic minorities is divided into six sections, showcasing 381 related cultural relics, 129 images, complemented by mannequins in wedding attire, audio recordings of love songs, and wedding videos. This combination of education and fun has been well received by audiences. The museum currently houses a collection of 681 items related to courtship media, love tokens, wedding supplies, bridal finery, bridal chamber furnishings, and childbirth tools. Among these, the most distinctive items include a Bui ethnic wedding shrine from the Qing Dynasty, a Bui ethnic silver love token from the Qing Dynasty, a Miao ethnic bamboo-engraved marriage contract from the Qing Dynasty, Miao ethnic flower-shooting backplates, Miao ethnic feathered bridal dresses, and a Miao ethnic "marriage proposal" straw raincoat.

Traditional ethnic marriage customs in Guizhou are incredibly diverse. Even within the same ethnic group, different regions or subgroups may have unique ways of expressing affection. Events such as ethnic festivals, local markets, and leisure-time social gatherings during farming off-seasons serve as prime opportunities for young men and women to meet and choose partners. For instance, the "flower belt request" during the Miao Lusheng Festival is a courting practice among young Miao men in eastern Guizhou; in southern Guizhou, Miao girls may loop one end of their waistband around the waist of a man they fancy, a custom known as "sheep leading"; whereas Bui ethnic youths mainly "express feelings through songs," with love songs covering a rich variety of themes including initial encounter songs, seasonal songs, and sorrowful love songs.

Xingyi City’s Chuanyundong Park – Guizhou Ethnic Marriage Customs Museum is about a 10-minute drive away and entry is free.

Location

Xiazaitun Subdistrict, Shangwutun Street Office, Zhuanye Road, Xingyi City, Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China

Xiazaitun Subdistrict: Located in Xingyi City, Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou. It governs the following areas:

522301007001 111 Zhuangyuan Community

522301007002 111 Yongkang Community

522301007200 112 Kezuotun Village

522301007201 112 Jingjiatun Village

522301007206 220 Bayou Village

522301007207 220 Gaoka Village

522301007208 220…… More details about Xiazaitun Subdistrict ++