PECULIAR WEDDING CUSTOMS

Let's venture into Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia, to explore one of the most unusual and distinctive wedding customs practiced by the Krung tribe. Among the various tribes in Cambodia with their unique wedding traditions, the Krung tribe stands out. When a young woman from the tribe reaches marriageable age, her father is responsible for constructing a special cabin for her in the heart of the Jungle. However, this is not your typical cabin made of logs; it's a cabin of love, where the young woman can entertain multiple suitors until she finds the one who captures her heart. Surprisingly, the Krung tribe not only allows but encourages multiple dating within this cabin, providing the young woman with a private space to explore her romantic options before making her final decision.

Once the young woman chooses her preferred suitor, he must accept her proposal and become her husband. Here comes the twist: according to tradition, the husband cannot spend the night with his new wife until he fulfills the bride price, which is paid to her father in the form of a certain number of cows. Yes, you read that right – cows, as in livestock. The more cows the husband can produce as a part of the bride price, the more nights he earns to spend with his wife.

One might wonder what happens if the husband is unable to afford the bride price in cows. Well, in such a scenario, according to tradition, the couple cannot live together until he pays the full price. Though this practice may seem strange to outsiders, it holds immense significance within the tribe's culture and tradition. The fact that this unique tradition has persisted for centuries and remains relevant to the Krung tribe today is both captivating and intriguing.

Let's take a break from exploring the intriguing customs of Cambodia and shift our focus to Mauritania, a small yet powerful country in Africa. Here, the locals have a unique perspective on what constitutes beauty in a bride. While many parts of the world emphasize a thin and athletic body as the ideal for female beauty, in certain regions of Mauritania, the opposite viewpoint prevails.

In these areas, people believe that women who are on the heavier side symbolize fertility and abundance, making them more desirable as brides. Thus, if a Mauritanian bride is considered too thin by her groom or family, she is expected to gain weight before her wedding day. It's quite common for brides to consume substantial amounts of food and drinks during the weeks leading up to the big day, aiming to achieve a sufficiently plump and curvy appearance.

This tradition's origins can be traced back centuries to a time when food was scarce in Mauritania, and being overweight was associated with wealth and status. Another belief suggests that a fuller figure represents good health and vitality, increasing the likelihood of bearing healthy children.

However, in recent years, this tradition has faced criticism from activists who consider it to promote unhealthy eating habits and body shaming. While every culture has its customs and beliefs, it's essential to question them and strive for improvement where necessary.

In the Congo, weddings are typically viewed as a time of joy, celebration, and love. However, their customs diverge from the usual norm. Instead of focusing solely on happiness, the couple is put to the test of maintaining a serious demeanor during the ceremony. To achieve this, they hire a comedian to entertain the guests. The challenge lies in the fact that the couple must resist any urge to laugh, even if the comedian's humor leaves everyone else in stitches. This unconventional practice serves a dual purpose: it not only tickles the guests' funny bones but also serves as a solemn test of the couple's dedication to upholding their vows. Should either of them display even a slight hint of amusement, the ceremony comes to an immediate halt, reminding them of the gravity of their commitment.

While this might seem like an extraordinary way to ensure the seriousness of the marriage, the Congo is not alone in having unique wedding traditions.