Fishermen's wedding customs, a folk custom item in the sixth batch of representative items of municipal intangible cultural heritage in Huai'an. Historical evolution and distribution The fishermen's wedding customs in Jinhu area are said to have originated from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. At that time, there was a bandit leader named Chen on Gaobao Lake. He surrendered to the officers and soldiers, raised the banner of the navy, called himself "Chen Xiaolaozi", and plundered everywhere, doing all kinds of evil. Every February 2nd is a good day for fishermen to get married, and Chen Xiaolaozi often went out to rob people and rob money. The Taiping Army was ready to use this opportunity to eliminate the bandits, so they secretly told the fishermen to take the bride home in the morning in advance. When the bride arrived home, the couple worshiped the sun and the heaven and earth and became husband and wife. On the second day of February, a family got married, and Chen Xiaolaozi really came out with a group of bandits to rob the bride. Who knew that the boat was full of Taiping Army, who chopped Chen Xiaolaozi into the water and wiped out all the bandits. Since then, fishermen have moved their weddings from the evening to the morning, and have also retained the custom of the bride holding an umbrella. They believe that this will ensure peace and good luck. Basic content: The basic process of fishermen's wedding customs in Jinhu area is roughly the same as traditional road weddings, with only a few details that have distinct local characteristics. The main contents include: Matchmaking: that is, matchmaking. The marriage of a man and a woman must be introduced by a matchmaker, who is usually a relative, friend or acquaintance. Local customs require that the matchmaker face south eighteen times. In other words, the man and the woman must invite the matchmaker to dinner many times, and there will be a thank-you gift after the deal is done. Matchmaking: After the matchmaker obtains the birth dates of the man and the woman, the parents of both parties must first ask a fortune teller to match the marriage, that is, to see whether the birth dates of the man and the woman are compatible, whether there are any conflicts or obstacles, and if so, they can get married. A few modern people still follow this tradition. Look at the family: that is, blind date. That is, the woman visits the man's home, and there are two types of visits: secret visits and open visits. The purpose of the secret visit is to understand the man's character and family situation, generally without letting the man know; the open visit is for the matchmaker to take the man and the woman to meet, and the man must receive them warmly and give a meeting gift. Give a small gift: that is, commonly known as Engagement. The man goes to the woman's house to give gifts and hold a ceremony. Engagement is an indispensable procedure. Look at the date: that is, choose a date. When the man and woman reach the age of marriage, the matchmaker will talk to each other, and both parties will ask people to choose an auspicious date to prepare for the wedding. Because the girl is going to enter an unfamiliar environment from her parents' home, she must choose the best combination point, which is the original intention of choosing a date. The next gift: that is, "send the betrothal gift." In the past, it was six items and six pairs. The six items are: a pair of silver bracelets, a pair of earrings, plus a ring and a hairpin; the six pairs refer to six pieces of clothing. With the different times, the betrothal gifts required by the woman's side are different. But according to local customs, all betrothal gifts must be taken to the husband's house with the daughter, and the parents' family is not allowed to keep them. Warm the room: On the first night of the wedding, the man's family will entertain major relatives and friends, and hold a ceremony to make the bed for the newlyweds. In the past, making the bed required "stealing grass" first. ", it is not stealing, but beating gongs and drums to ask for straw from a wealthy and long-lived family to make the bed for the newlyweds. A woman with all the blessings (parents alive and with both children) should be invited to make the bed while saying happy words, and at the same time sprinkle candies, peanuts and dates on the bed, which means sweetness and early birth of a son. A "virgin boy" should also be invited to press the bed. Getting married: that is, holding a wedding. This is the focus of wedding customs in all places. The time for welcoming the bride is very particular in the fishermen in Jinhu area, "no light at the time of the tiger, and the sun comes out at the time of the rabbit". At midnight that day, the boat of the groom's family to pick up the bride should be dressed up, with a big red "囍" character hung on the bow, a new fishing net is used to build the roof on the boat, decorated with colorful silk flowers, lanterns and torches, and drums and music are played all the way to arrive at the bride's house before dawn. After taking the bride on board, the bride and groom should hold up flower umbrellas to cover their faces. After arriving at the groom's house, the sun is rising, and the light The sun is shining brightly, which means prosperity and good luck. The bridesmaids help the bride to board the groom's boat, and they perform rituals such as crossing the fire basin, worshipping heaven and earth, and worshipping ancestors in the face of a red sun. In wealthy families, on the boats that pick up and send off the bride, there are gongs and drums, music, and young men and women singing and dancing. On the wedding day, they live in a thatched hut built on the shore in advance, and can only board the boat a few days later. Now this custom is basically no longer used. Divide the house: On the second day after the wedding, the main relatives of the bride's family come to the groom's house to meet the relatives. Because it is a new relative, the groom's family must receive them grandly. The bride's family must come in pairs, and the husband's family must be accompanied by corresponding relatives. The relatives of both sides of the in-laws know each other, communicate with each other, and increase their feelings. Return to the door: Three days later, the young couple returns to the bride's family. On this day, the new son-in-law is a distinguished guest and must sit at the top table. You must return to the bride's family three times in a month, and each time you must return to the husband's family before sunset. Only after the full moon can you stay at will, and you can also stay for a few more days. On the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar every year, the bride's family will take the daughter home to spend some time. Within three years after marriage, the bride should not celebrate the New Year or other festivals at her parents' home, but at her husband's home. The folk customs reflected in the marriage customs of fishermen in Jinhu area are closely related to the natural environment, living conditions and living habits. Fishermen live on the water all day and have infinite worship for the sun, water and fire. The phenomenon of fishermen's marriage customs plays an important role in studying the primitive beliefs of mankind. The marriage customs of fishermen reflect the fishermen's yearning for a better life, the humanistic spirit of harmonious coexistence between man and nature and between people, and the unique aesthetic orientation and value pursuit of fishermen. It expresses their respect, dependence and love for nature.