QUESTION:
In China's southwestern province of Guizhou,
the Miao people are very superstitious, with
strong beliefs in spirits and demons. Before
a bride and groom are "approved"
for marriage, a chicken is killed in front
of the parents of the parties concerned.
After the chicken is cooked whole, the size
of both its eyes are examined. If both eyes
are identical, it symbolizes a blissful union.
But if they are of different size, it is considered
a bad omen, and the wedding plan will be canceled.
What happens if either party breaks the engagement
after the chicken ceremony has taken place:
A. They go to the local court house for the
judge to decide;
B. The wronged family gets to keep and eat
the chicken;
C. The eyes must be eaten by the party 'chickening'
out of the wedding;
D. They must pay the other family silver according
to the weight of the chicken.
ANSWERS:
D is right of course. The weight of
the chicken is therefore of great importance.
Either party that breaks an engagement after
the formal announcement must pay the other
party an amount of silver equivalent to the
weight of the chicken.
