Marriage customs in Gyarong Tibetan-inhabited areas

"Here each house has a small extra level on the right hand side, which is prepared for their unmarried young women to live in from the age of eighteen, so that during courtship a young man may climb the walls to see her", said Guihua, a village-level official of Danba County , who pointed to a nearby house as described. This is one of the Gyarong Tibetan traditional marriage customs.

Photo shows a Danba girl. [Photo/ China Tibet Online]

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Located in Danba County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, and referred to by outsiders as "paradise hidden in the Hengduan Mountains" for thousands of years, Gyarong ethnic Tibetan culture has been well preserved.

Even to date the traditional language, culture, and customs are kept alive and have formed into some unique traditions such as their marriage customs.

According to Guihua, since locals still retain their marriage customs, if the girl does not wish to be courted by a young man, she must shut her windows tight, but if the two are lovers, the girl can let the young man in her loft.

Photo shows beautiful Danba girls. [Photo/ China Tibet Online]

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"We also have different ways of expressing love and affections, with the 'Tibetan Shirt'". Yardro Lhamo , who lives in a house on Danba County Road, said that in the evening some close Tibetan boys wear their best shirts to go out and court a girl with the greatest sincerity. The boys will go to where the girls have gathered in a group on the edge and sing love songs with them.

Photo shows beautiful Danba girls. [Photo/ China Tibet Online]

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At this time, if the girl does not like the young man she will drive him out, and it is at this time that wearing the Tibetan shirt saves him from losing face. If the girl does like him she will invite the young man into her house to eat and sing some more.

Photo shows beautiful Danba girls. [Photo/ China Tibet Online]

Photo shows beautiful Danba girls. [Photo/ China Tibet Online]