What are the customs of marriage in Hefei?

In Hefei, Anhui Province, some ancient customs are still preserved at weddings. On the night before the wedding, the man's family will hold a banquet for all the people in the family, and then the groom will worship his ancestors, parents and elders. After that, the wedding team led by the groom will beat gongs and drums and go to the bride's house.

When the wedding procession arrives in front of the bride's house, the bride's house closes as usual and asks the groom to set off firecrackers. This is called "door-urging cannon". Relatives and friends of the bride's family asked the groom for "opening money", that is, opening the door to reward them, and then repeatedly asked the groom to come into the house with them.

That night, the bride's family will hold a banquet to entertain the groom and drink with relatives and friends. Before the banquet begins, the groom should kowtow to greet the guests and also kowtow to the matriarch. That evening, the groom will stay at Yue's house the next morning (that is, the wedding day), and the groom's wedding attendants will set off firecrackers in front of the woman's house, which is called "makeup urging". After putting on makeup, the bride will go to the man's house with the groom.

When going out, the bride will cry loudly, indicating that she doesn't want to leave her parents, and her family will cry goodbye. In crying, the groom's brother or close relative sends her first, which is called "farewell".

When the couple arrives at the door of the man's house, the man's house will let two women with two children exchange the shoes of the bride and groom. Because "shoes" and "Xie" are homophonic, this move has the symbol of "growing old together". When the groom enters the man's house, relatives and friends will recite auspicious sentences and sprinkle peanuts, red dates and other fruits on the ground, which is called "Saxi Fruit". After that, the wedding ceremonies such as worship of heaven and earth, memorial service and drinking were similar to those in other regions.