What are the betel nut cultures around the world?

Betel nut, grown in the tropics, is not only a medicinal herb, but also a symbol of folk culture and emotion, and is popular in many countries around the world. The betel nut culture is diverse and rich, and wedding gifts are one of the frequent images of betel nut.

For example, in Myanmar, young Shan men will give betel nut to a woman who accepts it as a sign of agreement to go out with her when she finds the girl of her choice. The Shan also have a custom that after marriage, the man has to go to the woman's home to work for three years before he can bring his wife home, but if the man can climb a betel nut tree alone and pick betel nut and give it to his lover, he will be exempted from the three years of labor.

And in China, betel nut is involved in every step of the marriage of a Li man and woman. Hainan Island Records" recorded "Western women and up to fifteen or sixteen, the male family and then prepared with wine, meat, money sent to the female family, called 'bet life', or 'out of betel nut'. On this day, both male and female families feasted on guests. There is also the so-called "new woman", in which the man's family invites his relatives to go to the woman's home in full costume, and the woman comes out in colorful make-up, offering betel nut and several bags of betel nut. The relatives of the male family receive betel nut and give one or two dollars for the package, which is called 'betting color'." This shows that betel nut in the Li marriage, feasts occupy an important position.