The bizarre courtship rituals that lovers must follow in certain parts of the world

Courtship is generally the time between engagement and formal marriage ceremony. However, earlier courtship was the period when the man wooed the woman and the woman tried to gain his affections by different means. Courtship has been a social norm or custom for ages and some form of courtship was present in the ancient days of kings and queens. In many cultures, there are courtship rituals which are simply bizarre. In the following, some such funny and shocking courtship rituals have been described.

Bundling in colonial America

Bundling in colonial America

Image Source : Alice Hodapp’s Historiography

A couple in an amorous relationship used to spend nights together but slept fully dressed. In colonial America, bundling was a popular courtship norm that tested the love and attraction of lovers for each other. The couple had to put a sack or even board between them so that they do not indulge in sex. Courtships also took place under the observation of the girl’s parents. There was very little opportunity for the young men and women to act indiscreetly.

The stinky apple

 Kirchtag Procession

During the 19th century there was a strange and disgusting courtship ritual practiced in the rural Austria. Young women used to cut apples and stuck the pieces under their arms and go to dance in the balls. After the rustic revelry and dancing she would offer the sweaty apply to the man she desires. By consuming the apple, the man would acknowledge her and welcome her in his life.

Love packed in rice

Miao ethnic group

Image Source : News.Xinhuanet

The young women of Miao ethnic group of the Southwestern region of China take to cooking for expressing their heart’s desire. During the Sister’s Meal Festival, which is somewhat similar to Valentine’s Day, they cook colored sticky rice. They wrap the sticky rice in handkerchiefs and give it to their suitors. The suitor who gets two red chopsticks hidden in the rice is the chosen one. One chopstick means polite rejection and if a suitor finds garlic in the rice it means that the woman almost hates her.

Love huts of Cambodia

Love huts of Cambodia

Image Source : Franz Xaver

The Kreung tribe of Cambodia leads a polyamorous lifestyle. They believe very strongly in a woman’s right to sexuality and her personal empowerment. The parents of teenage girls build a love hut where the teen can enjoy sexual relationship with more than one man. This gives her the power of choice and helps them become independent individuals.

Summary

Courtship is a common practice across different cultures but every culture has got some special rituals that mark their courtship as unique. Some rituals are liberating whereas others are too archaic to be true.

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