Global EditionASIA 中文雙語Fran?ais
Lifestyle
Home / Lifestyle / Z Weekly

Weddings without the price tag

By Shamim Zakaria | China Daily | Updated: 2024-12-18 06:06
Share
Share - WeChat
Shamim Zakaria (second from right) at a family friend's wedding in Guwahati, Assam, India, on Nov 17. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Growing up in India, I often saw our domestic help or less affluent relatives approach my family for financial aid to fund their children's weddings.

My father, always charitable, would help within his means. Yet, as a child, I often wondered: why organize a grand wedding if finances don't permit? While seeking help for medical emergencies seemed justifiable, asking for contributions to host a wedding party puzzled me.

As I grew older and began to understand the societal fabric of India, I realized the question wasn't as simple as it seemed.

In India, weddings transcend the union of two individuals; they symbolize the coming together of families, communities, and age-old traditions. A wedding is not merely a celebration but a reflection of familial pride and societal expectations. Grand affairs, with music, dance, and lengthy rituals, are seen as a commitment to ensuring a couple's auspicious start to married life.

A major driving force behind such extravagance is perhaps the cultural philosophy of "Atithi Devo Bhava", which signifies treating guests as gods. Under this philosophy, societal expectations often compel families to spend beyond their means, fearing judgment or social stigma for not "measuring up". For many, the wedding's grandeur becomes a symbolic statement of success, leaving little room for financial prudence.

Less is more

Having lived in China for nearly a decade, I've found striking parallels between Indian and Chinese wedding customs. My first experience attending a wedding in southern China left me awestruck. The lavish decorations, multi-day ceremonies, and community celebrations mirrored the opulence of Indian weddings.

However, China has witnessed a significant cultural shift in recent years. Many young couples are now opting for minimalist weddings focused on meaningful experiences. For instance, some forego elaborate receptions in favor of intimate gatherings or choose symbolic photo shoots in natural settings.

This trend aligns with younger generations' aspirations for authenticity and sustainability. It also reflects evolving societal values, economic realities, and the government's advocacy for frugality and simplicity.

A notable example is Zhejiang province's initiative to reduce wedding costs by encouraging smaller guest lists and discouraging extravagant dowries. This effort aims to curb outdated customs and alleviate the financial burdens associated with traditional wedding practices.

Critics may argue that minimalism undermines cultural heritage. However, traditions thrive when they adapt to societal needs. Simplifying weddings doesn't mean discarding rituals; it means preserving their essence in ways that resonate with modern realities.

By focusing on love, family unity, and community connection — values central to traditional weddings — minimalist celebrations strike a balance between honoring the past and addressing present challenges.

1 2 Next   >>|
Most Popular
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US
 
主站蜘蛛池模板: 日本国产成人精品视频| 99在线在线视频免费视频观看| 美女扒开尿眼让男人桶爽视频| 性欧美大战久久久久久久野外| 催奶虐乳戴乳环| 2016天天干| 日韩国产欧美在线观看| 国产a级一级久久毛片| 69国产成人精品午夜福中文| 日韩三级电影视频| 啊灬啊别停灬用力啊岳| av色综合网站| 欧洲亚洲国产精华液| 国产一区二区欧美丝袜| gta5圣堂酒店第三辆车在哪里| 欧美成人性动漫在线观看| 同桌好舒服好粗好硬| 好男人官网在线播放| 成年免费视频黄网站在线观看| 免费a级毛片无码鲁大师| 永久在线观看www免费视频| 日本老熟老太hd| 亚洲欧洲日本在线| 野狼第一精品社区| 天天摸夜夜摸成人免费视频| 久久亚洲国产精品五月天| 男人天堂伊人网| 国产精品18久久久久久麻辣| 中文精品久久久久国产网站| 激情综合网五月| 国产女人18毛片水| 91国内揄拍·国内精品对白| 日本娇小videos精品| 众多明星短篇乱淫小说| 色费女人18女人毛片免费视频| 国产私人尤物无码不卡| 99国产精品久久久久久久成人热| 成人午夜亚洲精品无码网站| 亚洲午夜无码久久久久小说| 男人添女人下部全视频| 国产69精品久久久久999小说|