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Wang Yanan institute of studies in Economics-WISE-SOE

Xiamen university.

Research paper for selected issues on China

Research topic: Differences between South Sudan Customs


and Chinese Marriage customs.

Supervisor professor: Lu, Yunfang


Prepared by student: NOAH ISSA PHILIP BENJAMIN
ID:15220171155809

Submission date 3rd January 2018.


Difference Between Chinese Marriages customs

And

South Sudanese Marriage Customs.

South Sudanese president daughter marries Ethiopian. In the Right is the south Sudanese
president.
Contents
Table of content………………………………………………………………………………..….1
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………2
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………...…….3
2. Marriage in South Sudan and the value of women in marriage…………………….…….4
3. Comparisons between South Sudanese Marriage and Chinese Marriages…………….…6
3.1. Traditional South Sudanese marriage customs……………………………………………....6
3.1.1 Selecting a partner…………………………………………………………………...6
3.1.2 bride price and wedding ceremony……………………………………………….…6
3.2 Marriage in China……………………………………………………………………………8
3.2.1 Six Chinese Customs of marriage………………………………………….……… 10
3.2.2 Proposing…………………………………………………………………………...10
3.2.3 Birth Date Matching………………………………………………………….……11
3.2.4 Presenting Betrothal Gifts………………………………………………………….11
3.2.5 Presenting Wedding Gifts……………………………………………….…………11
3.2.6 Picking a Wedding Date…………………………………………………….…….11
3.2.7 Wedding Ceremony…………………………………………………………….….12
4. Different Aspects of Chinese and South Sudanese Marriage Customs………………………12
4.1 Wedding Dress and Wedding Tone ……………………………………………….…13
4.2. Wedding Reception ………………………………………………………………….14
4.3 Wedding Gifts…………………………………………………………………………15
4.4 Ghost marriage…………………………………………………………………15
5. Analysing the difference between South Sudanese and Chinese marriage
customs…………………………………………………………………………....16
5.1 Marriage Attitudes. …………………………………………………………………...16
5.2 Belief (religion)………………………………………………………………………...16
6. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………....17
References…………………………………………………………………………………20

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Abstract:

Chinese cultures impressed me a lot as I read from many of the books about culture
and marriages in china and South Sudan as well, throughout this paper we will be
able to see how South Sudan and china are similar in marriage customs. China- South
Sudan relation is a corn stone to learning the cultures and adopt the systems of
marriages between the two countries, for the rapid development economy Chinese
and South Sudanese people need to have frequent corporation amongst themselves.
It is particularly vital for South Sudanese to learn Chinese cultures because china is
one of the friendly country of South Sudan.
This paper mainly focuses on Chinese marriage customs and marriage customs of
the South Sudanese people. Although South Sudan has more than 62 ethnic groups,
I will mostly focus on three (3) tribes with well-known marriage customs, we will
follow this in the next chapters.
Through this paper, different marriage customs will be demonstrated and will help
people to learn more about them. This paper, based on the literature reviews of the
other researchers, will attempt to show marriage customs of China and the South
Sudan and analyze the reason of their marriage forms through contrasting their
differences. Through comparative analysis between Chinese marriage customs and
South Sudan’s marriage customs, it can be drawn out that traditional culture plays a
prominent role in them [South Sudan and China] like marriage values.

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1. Introduction.

Before we go into detail, we need to know first what all marriage leads to; that is, all
what we need is to have a family, and that why people get married and to have
children. But what is family? Many will be surprised that why is it important to know
the meaning of family first before defining the meaning of marriage? The answer to
this question is, without family there is no marriage and without marriage there is no
family.
Family is an essential unit of social life, which is tied through relationships of

marriage, blood, and adoption” (Chinese Encyclopedia: Sociology, 1991, p. 102).


In traditional Chinese society, family was another name for a patriarchal clan,
including not only its current members but also its ancestors enshrined and
worshiped in clan halls, and a set of feudal orders and ethical codes among kinships,
based on Confucian doctrines. In contemporary China, the meanings of family may
vary from person to person.
Therefore, as we have known the definition of family. Then, let us define Marriage
as a union between a man and a woman or women of mature ages, to form a family
with the purpose of producing children or with the aim of staying together as
husbands and wives. There are many definitions of marriage but let us only consume
this definition in this paper. Customary laws are accepted ways of behaving or doing
things long process of human development and relatively a common practice of the
people living in the same vicinity with the same inherited cultures.
Other definition of Marriage is the union of two people who commit to romantically
loving and caring for each other and to sharing the burdens and benefits of domestic
life. It is essentially a union of hearts and minds, enriched by whatever forms of
sexual affection both partners find delightful solutions to their life enjoyment.

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Marriage customs is one of the corner stones in culture, although the world is
modernizing but we won’t give chance to our cultures to evaporate. Marriage is a
focal point in human life and is symbol of coming into the subsequent page of one’s
life, forming a nuclear family or extended family in one’s life is the best option for
us as South Sudanese and likewise to Chinese. In South Sudanese communities
extended family is the paramount preference from 1950s till today.
2. Marriage in South Sudan and the value of women in marriage.
South Sudanese perhaps view marriage as one the pivotal or central institution of
shaping, binding families and communities and ensuring the continuity of South
Sudanese life and culture. South Sudanese women typical get married between the
age of eighteen (18) and above while males are allowed to get married between the
age of 20 and 25+. Many youths in South Sudan both male and female live with their
parents until they get married, and in some communities, many married couples stay
with their families until they have their own children and some could stay with their
families forever without separating. Women in South Sudan are the women that
settles in wedlock. Which means that they have husbands and in many cases with
children who make up the family. South Sudanese men gives more respect to
productive women compared to unfruitful women. Because they prefer children
more, than not having a child. As put earlier, South Sudan comprised of many ethnic
groups and with many cultural differences but all of these tribes love their women
equally and treat them as valuable item in the society. A married woman is not free
to see or date other men because she is dedicated and committed to one husband
only.
The institution of marriage started a very long time ago and, it is the most recognized
unit that makes up society. Married women behave in a certain way so that they can
live up to their marital status. However, there are many women who get married but
never really know what it means. Therefore, it is paramount that
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you know exactly what your restrictions are and how to be your best. First, a married
woman has to recognize her role in society and in the family. She has the role of
being a companion to the husband. Therefore, when you get married, you are taking
a deliberate step to be the closest friend to your husband. It is very exciting having
a wife who is your helper at all times.

South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile and Greater Bahr el Ghazel States have almost
similar marriage pattern. The parents in these states control marriage decisions of
their sons and daughters. They make exclusive decisions to organize marriage on
behalf of their children. Regardless of the presence or interest of their children, the
parents or relatives may decide to conduct engagements with the girl they think is
appropriate for their child. Certain traits are given special consideration e.g. family
background, intelligence, beauty, and attitude. Continuous visits (to the girl’s home)
are done in line with cultural norms to enhance consensus. At some point, the two
dating families may agree on marriage proposal. Decisions made by parents are
strict, final and culturally binding. In greater Equatoria states of South Sudan,
marriage from 1950s was the same as in Greater Upper Nile and Bahr el Ghazal but
it gradually evaporated, which means a male has right to choose his pattern not the
dad or relative choose to for him, it is the same applied to females. South Sudan
culture is deeply patriarchal. When Men are the heads of the households and has
authority and power over their family.

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3. Comparisons between South Sudanese Marriage and Chinese Marriages.
It is of great importance to compare South Sudanese marriages to Chinese because
these two countries have cultural, political and economic ties between them, maybe
in future these countries will be marrying themselves or else it is there but in small
number. Knowing one’s culture before marriage is a pivotal point in marriage.
Follow the comparisons for more formalities before you start courtship if you are
intending to do so.
3.1. Traditional South Sudanese marriage customs.
3.1.1 Selecting a partner.
South Sudanese traditionally, many clans allow young people to choose any partner
of their choice. In principle, young are free to marry any man who is capable to
produce a stable bride price. Young men on other hand, their choice of marriage
depend on their families or relatives for the case of two regions (upper Nile and Bahr
el Ghazal) where they marry with cattle, they may require cattle from their family
members before marriage. If cattle are accumulated, then young man can get
married. In some communities for man to marry must follow their birth linage, first
born must first marry then the second or third will marry, it follows the principle that
first come first save. Women cannot get married if it’s not her will.
3.1.2 bride price and wedding ceremony
In most South Sudanese cultures only the family of groom pays the bride price to
the bride’s family members. Bride is usually paid in form of cash or in kinds (cattle)
as of today, but in the past bride price is inform of cowry shells and hoe heads plus
spears etc. Payment is also done on installment. Payment of the bride price may be
costly depends on some factors such as the beautifulness of the lady and the
educational standard.

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On the fixed day all the boy’s family and his friends go the house of the girl in
festive mood, leading the required bride price (cows). They will find the relatives
of the girl waiting for them. After greeting each other, the people will celebrate by
eating and dancing till late at night. The following day the issue of the dowry is
finalized.

Figure:1 marriage celebration

Early morning or noon time, the finalization of the marriage begins. the family of
the girl sits on one side, the relatives of the boy on the opposite side. The father of
the girl sits a bit separated to mark his particular position at that moment. Two
witnesses have been invited to help, one for each family. They are the chairpersons
of the marriage. They are respected by the two families as one represent each family
in the wedding and their voices are heard and their decisions are final.
When the bride prices are brought, the father of the girl will suggest to the boy not
to pay all at once. Once the dowries are paid, the father or family of the bride would
ask their girl if she is ready to pass to the family of the boy.
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After her consent, she will leave with her group and join the group of the family of
the boy which welcomes her with joy.
Before leaving, the boy and his father ask the father of the girl when they may send
their relative to take the girl. The father of the girl will specify the time. Once they
have agreed, all go. The girl will remain in her own family. When the day comes,
the women (friends, neighbors) will accompany her to the house of the husband with
songs and dances along the way. Meanwhile in the courtyard of the husband’s house
people gather to welcome the wife and her group with songs and dances.

On that special day, the bridegroom went to the bride’s home to meet and brings her
back to his place with much fanfare. The bride is escorted by the bridegroom’s team
and some of her relatives to the bridegroom’s house. And that marks the new
beginning of the home, where the husbands take the full responsibilities of the family
which includes; providing food to the family and other family issues that might
arose.
3.2 Marriage in China.
Marriage in China became custom between warrying states period of 476-221 BC.
With the vast expanse and long history of Chinese marriage customs and
ceremonies, there are different practices that are followed in different places,
although they all generally adhere to similar guidelines. Visitors still have
opportunities to witness traditional marriages in the countryside.
Family and marriage life in contemporary China has changed following the
conservative structure of the old traditional ways. In pre-industrial times where rural
China dominated, the family adhered to strict moral conduct standards that were
based on religion and law. Now, a more democratic family system is established
men and women are free and equal in the decisions they make involving family

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planning, marriage, and expressing sexuality. China has 267 million families and
every year about 10 million newlywed couples multiplies the number of families.
The Chinese government has constantly tried to protect marriages and the families,
stress the equality between husband and wife, and foster the Chinese state tradition
of respect for the elderly, love for the young and pleasant relations in the family.
Presently, the divorce rate in China is 1. 54 per 1,000 residents. This is due in part
that Chinese families are essentially stable, family roles, living arrangements, child
nurturing and unlimited support for the elderly, are clearly visible.
Marriage in traditional China was arranged by parents, elders, or qualified marriage
broker. But today marriage is based on the mutual love of both man and woman’s
consent to wed themselves. In early 1980s, there was a marriage law issuing the
freedom of choice of spouse with forbidding any arrangement of unwilling partners.
Although the choice of choosing a couple to family member who is ready to get
married is changing as of these days. But decided marriages still exist today in some
parts of rural China where residents are still following the traditional customs of
marriage and are unwilling to change to modernized social beliefs. And this will
keep the culture of the country to be at steady state. Kidnapping and selling of
women as prides by peasants in rural areas of the country are still existing but with
low rate. Payment of brides by the family of the son who wishes to marry a woman
[ girl] pays the bride to the family of the girl.

As stated, “Some families go into debt to finance a marriage, but the fact that
marriage brings another worker and wage earner into the family helps to reduce the
burden” (Engel). Despite the given freedom of marriages in the new China, both
men and women were free to express their own sexuality but are also restrained
because of the one child policy. China has witnessed a sexual liberation in more

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recent past years. Images and information about sex are ubiquitous in new China
unlike old traditional China where sexuality was an obscure and unspoken topic.

Urban Chinese are more open to public about sexuality than rural Chinese. For
example, a person could walk down the street in big cities and see a half-naked
women advertised for a company on a billboard and internets. As for rural China, a
person would never see a billboard such as that or in that case, a billboard at all. This
is where capitalism comes into play when mentioning sexuality among the Chinese.
In ancient china times, it was very important to follow a basic principle of the
'Three Letters and Six Etiquettes' since they were essential to a marriage. The three
letters include Betrothal letter, Gift Letter and wedding Letter. Betrothal Letter is
formal document of the engagement and is a must in Chinese marriage. Gift Letter,
is only given to the specified family member of the girl. Within the coverage of
letter, they would be a list of the types and quantity of gifts designated for the
wedding, once both parties accepted the marriage. The Wedding Letter was prepared
and presented to the bride's family on the day of the wedding and was a document
that confirmed and commemorated the formal acceptance of the bride into the
bridegroom's family.

3.2.1 Six Chinese Customs of marriage.

In china, marriage depends on one of the following, before everything starts a boy
has to choose a girl that is convenient to him by looking at the age of the girl first
then following six marriage customs follow;
3.2.2 Proposing:

In Chinese tradition, if an unmarried boy's parents identified a girl as their future


daughter-in-law, they would then locate a matchmaker. Proposals were the

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specialties of the matchmakers. The marriage broker would formally present his or
her client's request to the identified girl's parents.

3.2.3 Birth Date Matching:


If the potential bride's parents did not object to the marriage, the matchmaker would
then ask for the girl's birthday and birth-hour to assure the compatibility of the
potential bride and bridegroom. If the couple's birthdays and birth-hours did not
conflict according to astrology, the marriage would continue onto the next stage. If
there was any sign of astrological conflict, which meant the marriage would bring
disasters upon both families, the proposed marriage was immediately quelled.

3.2.4 Presenting Betrothal Gifts:


Once both birthdays matched, the bridegroom's family would then arrange for the
matchmaker to present betrothal gifts, including the betrothal letter, to the bride's
family.

3.2.5 Presenting Wedding Gifts:


After the betrothal letter and betrothal gifts were accepted, the bridegroom's family
would later formally send wedding gifts to the bride's family. Usually, gifts may
include tea, lotus seeds, long an, red beans, green beans, red dates, nutmeg, oranges,
pomegranate, lily, bridal cakes, coconuts, wine, red hair braid, money box and other
delicacies, depending on local customs and family wealth.

3.2.6 Picking a Wedding Date:


An astrologist or astrology book would be consulted to select an auspicious date to
hold the wedding ceremony.

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3.2.7 Wedding Ceremony:
On the selected day, the bridegroom departs with a troop of escorts and musicians,
playing cheerful music all the way to the bride's home. After the bride is escorted to
the bridegroom's home, the wedding ceremony begins. The marriage process
involves three bows, also called bow to Heaven and Earth, then to the groom’s
parents and finally to each other. In the ceremony, the new couple has to stand side
by side, making these three bows. The first bow is to pay homage to Heaven and
Earth, and the family ancestors; and the second to the groom’s parents with gratitude
for their growing up the groom; the third to each other, meaning they are going to
love each other and respect each other forever.

4. Different Aspects of Chinese and South Sudanese Marriage Customs.


Falling in love is the most important thing for a couple before they think about
marriage. In South Sudan, if the couple or lovers are going into marriage, the man
should make a proposal by giving an engagement ring to the woman. Unlike Chinese
arranged marriage, marriage is decided by both of the couple. Apparently, the
courtship is the first step of the marriage in South Sudanese culture. Usually the
proposal requires some quality and involves the presenting a ring which symbolizes
they get engaged. This engagement will last a while before the couple gets married.
Once a woman and a man decide to go into marriage, they will notice their parents
respectively to show their respect. If a wedding date is set, the banns of marriage,
commonly known simply as “the banns” are announced. This notice is usually
placed in the local church or registry office. Before a wedding ceremony is held, a
couple will send wedding invitations to their friends and relatives. Upon receiving a
wedding invitation, the guest should inform the couple whether they will come to
their wedding. When the ceremony is over, the bride and the groom will sign the
state-issued marriage license in a side room of a church with an officer and two

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witnesses. And sometimes before the chiefs, if the marriage is not done in church
then they have to do it before the chief or headmen with the witness and finally the
topmost will give them marriage credential to show that so and so are official
married. That is to say, the couple’s marriage gets its legitimacy in the right day of
their wedding ceremony.
4.1 Wedding Dress and Wedding Tone
In South Sudanese weddings are mostly done in churches and bride wears white
gown and the best girl and followers wears pink, bride’s gown symbolizes the peace
(purity) among the two families and groom wears black suit with white shirt and best
man wears the same. Unlike Chinese weddings, red is the tone of that special day.
In traditional Chinese culture, the wedding dress of the bride is red. Today many
people wear white wedding gown, but other ritual objects and some other bride’s
wedding clothes are still red.

Figure: 2. Photo- painted room for traditional marriage in china.

Red symbols auspicious and prosperous in Chinese culture, so the wedding room is
decorated with red like bright red “happiness” character is pasted on the wall, the
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door and other objects, as it can be seen from the above pictures. Traditionally, the
bride born of a rich family would wear a phoenix coronet and robes of rank on the
wedding day. The groom usually wears red long gown and mandarin jacket with a
silk flower on his breast. Brides born of ordinary family would wear red clothes and
a pair of red shoes. In South Sudan white is the tone of weddings. Brides usually
wear a white dress to symbolize purity. They may also choose to wear off-white,
silver or very light-colored dress at their first marriage. A white face veil
symbolizing virginity is often worn with the white wedding dress which was used to
confuse the spirits who may destroy the wedding with jealousy. There are no strict
requirements for the groom’s clothes but mostly they wear black suits and off-black
light black. The groom usually wears a formal suit with a bow tie. In South Sudan
and other Eastern African cultures, red is a sign of blood and violence as most of us
are worriers, while white is always related to death in Chinese culture. Different
color of wedding dress also reflects the different aesthetic values of Chinese and
South Sudanese.
4.2. Wedding Reception
Wedding reception is very important in both Chinese and South Sudanese wedding
marriage customs. Chinese and South Sudanese wedding reception shares both
similarities and differences. In the wedding reception, the newly-wed couple needs
to salute to their friends and relatives to show their thanks and the friends and
relatives gesture back to the couple to send their best wishes. In traditional Chinese
culture, the wedding reception often takes place in an open space like a courtyard.
All neighbors, friends and relatives sit around tables. Before the meal begun, there
is always much fanfare with firecrackers and beating of songs and drums, as
witnessed when I went for a tour to Qufu the home town of Confucius, we heard a
gunshot and I was astonished to hear that but my teacher told me that it is wedding.

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The wedding reception is full of happy laughter and cheerful voices. People express
their wishes for the couple when they homage everybody who presents in their
wedding reception. In South Sudan, the wedding reception consists of a meal with
many drinks like wargi (traditional liquor) and siko (traditional brewery) numerous
breads, cutting the wedding cake by the bride and the groom. The newlyweds, their
parents and wedding entourage will greet the guests. Before the meal, the best man
will make a toast to the couple, talking about their happiness and send wishes to the
couple. Other friends may also make toasts to the couple. After the meal, the bride
and groom will cut the wedding cake together symbolizing that they are working
together during their marriage. A dance follows the meal and cake and usually it
starts with the newlyweds. And then others may join the dance party. Just before the
bride leaves the reception, she will throw a bouquet over her shoulder to the
unmarried girls and the one who catches it is thought to be the next one to marry this
is only true with Muslims.
4.3 Wedding Gifts
In Chinese traditional wedding, guests usually bring with them a red packet with
money when they attend a wedding. It’s a tradition that giving money gifts to the
newlywed couple when guests attend a wedding. However, in South Sudan, people
rarely send money gifts to the couple instead of china, but they give hand tools to
the bride such as silverware, pots and pans.
4.4 Ghost marriage.
Ghost marriage in South Sudanese culture (Luo culture) is a kind of marriage where
a deceased groom is replaced by his brother, the brother of the deceased will stand
as the groom to the family of the bride and any child that is bored is recognized as
the children of the deceased, in south Sudan this marriage is only practiced by Dinka
(jieng) and Nuer tribes, from those days till today this kind marriage is still
progressing as it is considered as a cultural norm in these two tribes but the rest of
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the tribes do not marry to the deceased, although these two marry to the deceased
but they did not organized such marriage to, if both are dead. as these two are the
largest tribes South Sudan I introduced to this research paper so I that I may compare
them with China customs of marriage.
In Chinese tradition ghost marriage (minghun) is a kind of marriage in which one
or both parties are deceased. And this kind of marriage is widely known as
posthumous marriage where one of the participating parties is lifeless. This kind of
marriage is only found in France, South Sudan and china.
5. Analysing the difference between South Sudanese and Chinese
marriage customs.

The comparisons above between South Sudanese and Chinese marriage traditions,
it can be seen that cultural background of each country has a great influence on their
marriage customs. Culture can be viewed as the sum total of material and spiritual
products created by man in the historical process of a social practice. it also refers to
a social ideology and the political system and constitutional organization
corresponding to the ideology of each country. From the cultural perspective,
between South Sudanese and Chinese, marriage attitudes and religion are the major
causes of differences. Traditional Chinese marriages customs are marriage attitudes
towards marriage are mostly influenced by the traditional Chinese culture like
Confucianism, in South Sudan marriage customs and their attitudes are majorly
influenced by religion.
5.1 Marriage Attitudes.
Different Marriage customs reflect different people’s attitudes toward marriage.
Those marriage attitudes are interconnected by philosophical and historical reasons.
In Traditional Chinese culture, Confucianism is regarded as the cornerstones of the
marriage, it has taken over 2000 years but till today Chinese people are still bound

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with that feudal societies. Confucianism effect on Chinese attitudes towards culture
will go forever. From my own prospective and experience that I had from the few
days’ trip to Qufu Shandong city, I have seen many temples and many marriage
rooms decorated waiting for who to come in for marriage, and this indicates that
Chinese are bounded with culture that the great man (Confucius) left for them.
Confucius aimed was to revive the ethics of Zhou dynasty, by putting forward a
series of norms. Which include the basic Confucian doctrines that human beings are
teachable, men should pay filial piety to their parents and brothers, and people should
show obedience and respect to authority. These doctrine has great influence on
Chinese attitudes towards marriage or family as a pillar of social stability. The main
reason why people get married is to have offspring and to have family. Many
marriages in the past were arranged by parents and matchmakers. After getting
married, husbands and wives hold different attitudes towards each other.

From the point view and experience of South Sudanese, marriage also has two
purposes: one is to give a good result of their love, and the other is to find a life-long
partner so as to be fulfilled physiologically and physically. If love does not exist
between two people, they will not consider getting married. Love is priority in a
marriage in South Sudanese culture. Couples enjoy equal position in their families,
they share family responsibility together and family earnings and raising children
together the same like to Chinese. South Sudanese couples pay more attention to
their individuality and their admiration towards their marriages leads to love instead
of family interest alone.
5.2 Belief (religion).
Religion plays decisive role in their lives especially in their marriage couples in
South Sudan. The meaning of marriage was originated from the creation of the
world, for instance the story of Adam and Eve in Good News Bible. Genesis ch 2:18,
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“it is not good for man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him”.
With this verses South Sudanese belief in religion as the bases of marriage. In related
context about marriage during times of Jesus’ teaching. In the Gospel of saint Mark,
Jesus replied the query of the Pharisees about marriage, “Because of the hardness of
your heart to teach. He said from the beginning of the creation, God made them male
and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave
to his wife. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore, now they are not two, but
one flesh (Mark Ch. 7:5-10). Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man
put apart.”
As most of South Sudanese are Christians. Christianity influences marriage customs
in South Sudan in various ways: although there are many denominations of churches
in South Sudan which include, Protestant (Episcopal Church of South Sudan-
ECSS), Catholic and Seventh Day Adventists. Most people will choose church to
hold their wedding ceremony regardless of their religious faith; the couple should
speak out their wedding vows when a priest officiate the ceremony.
But in Chinese marriage follows the Confucius traditional customs, where marriages
are done in temples. But is Confucianism a religion? This paper has answer to this
question because this needs questionnaire to find out why Chinese consider
Confucius as religion. The features of traditional Chinese culture include: emphasis
on integration, emphasis on ethics/moral principles/relations of humanity and
emphasis on inheritance/continuity/transmission. For all these reasons, Chinese
people pay more attention to groups’ interests like families’ and countries’ interests.

6. Conclusion
This present paper mainly talks about some aspects of marriage customs in
traditional South Sudanese culture and Chinese culture. This paper was written as
guide to learn marriage traditions of the two countries, it is of great importance since
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we have Chinese embassy in South Sudan maybe one will look at the beauty of south
Sudanese ladies and might be in courtship and this paper with them a lot if it is
published. Because they will find the information regarding the norms and how
marriages are done in South Sudan and in china too. This paper displays many
differences in traditional Chinese marriage customs and South Sudanese marriage
customs, which can help more people to learn about South Sudanese marriage when
people communicate and trade with South Sudanese as currently there is trade
relation between the two countries.
This paper also tries to point out some reasons of these differences from the
perspective of the causes of the different attitudes towards marriage of Chinese and
South Sudanese, the philosophical analysis of traditional Chinese marriage customs
and the South Sudanese’s religious influence over their marriage customs. Due to
the limitation of knowledge, there are still many defects in this paper, and further
analysis need to be done in the future.

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References

1 Davis, Edward. 2005. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture.


Taylor & Francis.
2 Diamant, Neil J. 2000. Revolutionizing the Family: politics, love and
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California Press.
3 Fan Weirui. 2011. Introduction to Western Culture. Beijing: Higher
Education Press
4 Liu Xinfa, Liu Hao. 2010. Appreciate Western Etiquette. Xi’an: Xi’an
Jiaotong University.
5 Sun Jianjun. 2007. Differences in Marriage Customs Between Western
and Chinese Culture. Journal of Liaoning Economic Management Cadre
College.
6 Yang, Fenggang, Joseph Tamney. 2011. Confucianism and Spiritual
Traditions in Modern China and Beyond.

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