东永学《酒香拥抱的赞歌》

The Warm Hug of the Sweet Song of Wine

Dong Yongxue, male, member of the Tu Nationality, born in Huzhu, Qinghai Province, is a member of the Writers Association of Chinese Ethnic Minorities, a member of the Chinese Poetry Association, a member of the Qinghai Provincial Writers Association, and a student of the 12th Writer Advanced Research Class of Lu Xun Literary Institute. He has published more than 460 literary works in various publications such as "Ethnic Literature", "Literary and Art Newspaper", "Tibetan Literature", "Times Literature", "Writer Digest", and "Qinghai Lake". He has also published four personal anthologies, including the children's novel "Rainbow on the Horizon".

As the sun is about to rise,

The stars twinkle brightly to greet it.

When the cuckoo bird sings,

All birds chirp in unison to welcome it.

As the auspicious day arrives,

The honoured guest is about to arrive,

Welcomed by beautiful melodies.

This is a song of praise sung during a Tu ethnic wedding. Participants sing these songs to express their admiration for a happy marriage and a joyful life. The Qingke liquor is the most beautiful messenger, bringing good luck and joy, ensuring the wedding's successful conclusion.

At the chosen auspicious hour, the groom's party prepares to depart from the groom's home. All the gifts are packed into a woollen blanket, and the host ensures not to forget the blue Hada, an essential part of the wedding ceremony. Then comes the Qingke liquor, traditionally two or four bottles, but now, with better conditions, it's two or four boxes. We often say, "No banquet is complete without wine."

As the auspicious hour for departure arrives, the groom's party is already slightly drunk. Outside the door, everyone sings blessing songs, offering three toasts of liquor to wish the groom a smooth journey and a beautiful bride waiting ahead.

As the groom's party arrived at the bride's gate, a song of praise was sung in celebration. At this moment, clear water was poured over their heads, symbolizing the washing off of dust and their esteemed arrival. The host, carrying a wine jug and cups, stepped forward to offer three glasses of "Xia Ma Jiu" (a traditional drink offered to guests upon arrival), a necessary etiquette among the Tu ethnic group.

The songs of praise sung by the Tu people were filled with emotion, their melodies rising with the sun and the mountains and settling on themes of gratitude. Every song carried the aroma of wine, as even if the lyrics did not mention barley wine, the gathered hosts and guests were sure to drink, their slightly flushed faces revealing their happiness and intoxication after tasting the barley wine.

The groom's party presented the gifts brought for the wedding to the bride's family. The aunts and uncles of the bride came forward to inspect them. If any gifts were missing, the groom's party would have to return and fetch them. At this point, the barley wine was brought out again. The groom's party offered drinks to everyone, admitting their carelessness and using harmless jokes to deflect any criticism. With the help of the wine, the groom's party did not have to return. After drinking three glasses of penalty wine, they sat back down on the kang (a traditional heated platform used for sitting and sleeping in China).

Steamed dumplings and buns were served, and the windows were opened. The busy women in the kitchen came to the windows, unleashing their singing voices. A playful song mocking the groom's party began, starting with jokes about their hats, teasing their eating habits, and mocking their companions for their lack of drinking skills or bashfulness.

Any man who had served as a groom in a Tu family knew that, at this point, he had to pretend not to hear and humbly devour a few buns. If he didn't eat, he might end up hungry tonight, as the women at the window would sing and eventually drag him out into the yard, placing a pole on his shoulders and a grass collar around his neck, pulling him to dance the Anzhao dance.

If one could dance, it was fine; if not, one still had to cooperate. After such antics three times, one could plead for mercy. Then, one would drink. Drinking well could forgive one's inability to dance or sing.

Incense smoke rises to the sky,

Offering prayers to the supreme Buddha,

No incense, but our hearts are pure;

Flags flutter in the wind,

Praying to the sacred Aobao,

There are no flags, but our faith remains;

Beautiful songs are sung,

Praising the honourable guests,

There is no singing, but our toasts are sincere.

The auspicious moment arrives, and the groom's party stands at the bride's chamber door, ready to sing a song to invite her out. We once used the most handsome horse to fetch the bride, and all the guests rode tall steeds.

The wedding procession departs, and another song is sung, filled with nostalgia:

“We are descendants of the horse-riding nation; Horses were once our wings, our brothers.”

Today, four or six luxury limousines replace the horse-drawn carriages.

As the wedding procession walks along, the singing is loud and clear, accompanied by the scent of barley wine. Wine is to be drunk, and songs of gratitude are to be sung. There is no wedding procession without singing, and the journey is dull without the aroma of wine. With singing and the scent of wine, everyone knows this is a joyful wedding procession.

"The golden sun shines in the sky,

Under its golden rays,

All creation is complete;

The auspicious bird perches on the treetop,

In its beautiful song,

The alternation of winter and summer is complete;

The table is laden with fragrant wine,

The union of man and woman is complete."