China's Dagur Minority - Sino-Platonic Papers

Before the groom's arrival, the bride's family kept the courtyard door closed, andstationed a guard there. When the groom approached, the guard questioned him. Theensuing debate continued until the guard was satisfied, and then the groom waspermitted to enter the yard. At that moment, all the bride's mkon were invited todinner. The groom kowtowed to the bride's parents and aged mkon members. Hewas given money and a shoulder money bag by the parents and mokon elders. Somewealthy parents returned the horse to the groom or, they might have given a betterone. The dinner began with the opening of liquor jars, and the groom's companionoffering a lengthy toast.Your lass and our lad,Living thousand$ of miles apan are bound together in wedlock,At some distance apart live two related families,Whose ties will never be severed,Will never be hacked apart.Pine trees have grown tall,Together with the groom,We chose this auspicious day,To visit your beloved parents,And have brought you this sumptuous feast.For the forthcoming joy@l marriage,I pour drink with both hands,Please accept this token of good will and respect.After accepting the toast, the bride's father responded, while filling the cup for theone who offered the toast:For the sake of the joyful marriage of the tw families,You have made a long journey,In order not to delay our ongoing dinner till next year,You brought a consumting dinner on this auspicious day,And I wish to invite mokon folk to our party,To enjoy our joyfil liquor, .Please introduce your betrothal gifls one by one.The groom's side responded:Our betrothal gifts include:A jiroo sh~olbur,~When waking at night,It can see clearly;It can gallop on stony road%,With clacking firm feet,As fast as a roe deer,As nimbly as a fox.It can catch a hare in the desert,And won't stumble over mounds.Seven pigs in the pen,Mouth fat two fingers thick.'[A reined horse.]