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The Rituals of an Important Life Event

Weddings have always been important moments for families and societies. Not surprisingly, they involve celebrations and rituals. Apart from the religious celebrations, there are many interesting elements in Southeast Asian countries’ wedding rituals.

1. _________________ is usually held the night before the wedding ceremony. In this event, gifts are presented after older women in the family give the bride some tips on how to behave well toward her husband's family. The most common gifts are gold pieces and gold jewelry. These are considered the bride's dowry and also a way to help the couple to partly cover the expenses of starting their own family.

2. _________________ it is not gold but water that plays a central role in Thai wedding rituals. While the bride and the groom sit next to each other and are joined by a headdress made from a single white thread (the Mong Kol), their most honored guests will use a blessed conch shell to pour water on their hands. The water is also blessed from a ceremony that was held earlier. This ritual is believed to bring good luck to the couple.

3. _________________, however, good luck is brought about by henna. A natural dye made from the henna plant, henna has been used for centuries as a form of body art. Before the wedding ceremony, the bride has henna patterns applied to her palms, her hands, and her feet. People believe that the deeper the color of henna is, the happier the couple's marriage will be.

Answer:

Đám cưới luôn là những khoảnh khắc quan trọng đối với gia đình và xã hội. Không ngạc nhiên khi chúng liên quan đến các lễ kỷ niệm và nghi lễ. Ngoài các lễ kỷ niệm tôn giáo, có nhiều yếu tố thú vị trong các nghi lễ cưới hỏi của các nước Đông Nam Á.

1. _________________ thường được tổ chức vào đêm trước ngày lễ cưới. Tại sự kiện này, những món quà được trao tặng sau khi các bà già trong gia đình tư vấn cho cô dâu về cách cư xử tốt đẹp với gia đình chồng. Những món quà phổ biến nhất là những mảnh vàng và trang sức vàng. Chúng được coi là vốn của cô dâu và cũng là cách giúp đôi uyên ương đóng góp một phần chi phí để bắt đầu cuộc sống gia đình.

2. _________________ ở Thái Lan, không phải vàng mà là nước có vai trò trung tâm trong các nghi lễ cưới. Trong khi cô dâu và chú rể ngồi cạnh nhau và được nối vòng tay bằng một sợi dây trắng duy nhất (Mong Kol), các vị khách quan trọng nhất sẽ dùng một vỏ sò bên bé bé đã được chúc phúc để rót nước vào tay của đôi uyên ương. Nước cũng được chúc phúc từ một nghi thức đã được tổ chức trước đó. Nghi lễ này được tin rằng sẽ mang lại may mắn cho đôi vợ chồng.

3. _________________ ở Ấn Độ, tuy nhiên, may mắn được mang lại bằng henna. Henna là loại nhuộm tự nhiên được làm từ cây henna, đã được sử dụng hàng thế kỷ như một hình thức nghệ thuật trên cơ thể. Trước ngày cưới, cô dâu được vẽ các mẫu henna trên lòng bàn tay, bàn tay và chân. Mọi người tin rằng, màu sắc henna càng đậm thì cuộc hôn nhân của đôi uyên ương sẽ càng hạnh phúc.

A. Look at the title and the photo. What is a ritual? What do you think the woman in the photo is celebrating? Discuss in pairs.

(Nhìn vào tiêu đề và hình ảnh. Nghi lễ là gì? Bạn nghĩ người phụ nữ trong bức ảnh đang ăn mừng điều gì? Thảo luận theo cặp)

Answer:

A ritual is a set of actions or words performed in a prescribed manner, often in a religious or cultural context, to carry out a symbolic or meaningful action.

The woman in the photo is celebrating her wedding. The red ao dai she is wearing is a traditional Vietnamese outfit often worn by brides during their wedding day. Additionally, the fact that she is sitting in a car with her husband suggests that they may be on their way to or from the wedding ceremony. Weddings are often important events in many cultures and are celebrated with various rituals and customs. The photo you have described captures a moment in this woman's wedding day, as she and her husband begin their journey together as a married couple.

B. Scan the article and write the following phrases in the correct paragraph.

(Đọc bài viết và viết các cụm từ sau đây trong đoạn văn chính xác)

a. Among the Hindus in Singapore

b. In Viet Nam, a bridal shower

c. Meanwhile, in Thailand

Answer:

a. Among the Hindus in Singapore - Paragraph 3

b. In Viet Nam, a bridal shower - Paragraph 1

c. Meanwhile, in Thailand - Paragraph 2

C. Read the article. Circle T for true or F for false.

(Đọc bài báo. Khoanh tròn T cho đúng hoặc S cho sai)

1. Vietnamese brides may receive gifts and advice in their bridal showers. T F

2. In Viet Nam, wedding gifts will help the couple in the early days of their marriage. T F

3. In a Thai wedding ceremony, the bride pours water on the groom's hands. T F

4. Both the conch shell and water are blessed in Thai ceremonies. T F

5. A form of body art may bring good luck to Hindu couples in Singapore. T F

6. Henna is placed all over a Hindu bride’s body. T F

Answer:

1. Vietnamese brides may receive gifts and advice in their bridal showers. TRUE

2. In Viet Nam, wedding gifts will help the couple in the early days of their marriage. TRUE

3. In a Thai wedding ceremony, the bride pours water on the groom's hands. FALSE

4. Both the conch shell and water are blessed in Thai ceremonies. TRUE

5. A form of body art may bring good luck to Hindu couples in Singapore. TRUE

6. Henna is placed all over a Hindu bride’s body. FALSE

Goal check

Discuss the questions in groups.

(Thảo luận các câu hỏi trong nhóm)

1. Which do you think is the most interesting wedding ritual from the passage? Why?

2. What wedding rituals do you know about from other cultures?

3. Are there any special rituals for weddings in your province?

Answer:

1. Which do you think is the most interesting wedding ritual from the passage? Why?

The most interesting wedding ritual from the passage may vary depending on the person's interests and cultural background. Some people may find the Southeast Asian practice of using henna to bring good luck to the couple fascinating, while others may be intrigued by the Thai tradition of pouring blessed water over the bride and groom's hands. The Vietnamese bridal shower, where the bride receives advice and gifts from her family and friends, might also be considered an interesting ritual to some. Overall, each wedding ritual has its unique significance and history, and what makes them fascinating is their ability to reflect and celebrate the cultural values and beliefs of a community.

2. What wedding rituals do you know about from other cultures?

• Indian weddings: Indian weddings are famous for their vibrant colors, music, and dance. Some of the common rituals include the Mehndi ceremony (applying henna on the bride's hands and feet), Sangeet (a pre-wedding celebration with music and dance), and the Baraat (the groom's arrival on a decorated horse).

• Chinese weddings: Chinese weddings often include a tea ceremony where the bride and groom serve tea to their parents and receive blessings in return. The bride usually wears a red dress symbolizing good fortune, and the couple may also exchange rings during the ceremony.

• Scottish weddings: In Scottish weddings, the bride may wear a tartan sash or shawl, and the groom may wear a kilt. The couple may also participate in a traditional handfasting ceremony where their hands are bound together with a ribbon or cord.

• Nigerian weddings: Nigerian weddings may include a traditional Igbo ceremony where the groom and his family formally ask the bride's family for permission to marry her. The wedding may also feature a colorful display of fabrics, jewelry, and dancing.

• Jewish weddings: Jewish weddings often include the signing of a Ketubah, a marriage contract that outlines the couple's obligations to each other. The ceremony may also include the breaking of a glass by the groom to symbolize the fragility of life and the commitment to staying together through hard times.

3. Are there any special rituals for weddings in your province?

In Hanoi, weddings are typically celebrated in the bride's family home or a rented venue, and they involve a series of customs and rituals. Some of these include:

• The engagement ceremony: This is the formal announcement of the engagement and is often held several months before the wedding. The groom and his family visit the bride's family to present gifts and ask for her hand in marriage.

• The betrothal ceremony: This is held a few weeks before the wedding and involves the exchange of gifts between the two families. The bride's family will often present gifts such as jewelry and clothing, while the groom's family will offer items such as tea, wine, and fruits.

• The wedding ceremony: This is the main event and can last several hours. The ceremony involves the exchange of vows, prayers, and offerings to ancestors. The bride and groom also exchange wedding rings and perform a traditional tea ceremony to show respect to their parents.

• The wedding reception: This is a celebratory event where guests enjoy a meal, music, and dancing. The bride and groom will often change into several outfits throughout the reception, including a traditional ao dai and a Western-style wedding dress.