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Barag Wedding on Hulun Buir Grassland

On the spectacular Hulun Buir Grassland --, the birthplace of Mongolians --,, lives the most ancient branch of the Mongolian group- -- the Barag Tribe, which appeared in many historical materials prior to Mongolia's the unification of Mongolia.

Academicians differ in have varied opinions in regards to the historical origin of the "Barag people". Some believe they were originated from the east of Baykal River, while others believe they originated ; some from Heilongjiang(黑龙江) River . Still a third group feels they came and others from the Kerulun River.
As to the origin of the name "Barag", there is no agreement on this by experts has been reached in the academic circles, either. Some scholars think it has something to do with a Shamanism myth, in which the word "Barag" appeared, and some believed it is related with a Tujue (an ethnic minority in ancient north China) word "Bayiergu", which means "happy or well-off people" in Turki (the language of Tujue ethnic group). A third opinion is that the word is created byis a product of the people living in the east of Baykal Lake.

These varied opinions lead help make the Barag people, with its special historical legacies and ethnic traditions, to be the most unique branch of all of the Mongolian groups, with their characteristics on historical legacies and ethnic traditions.

Today, we will take a glimpse into the unique culture, art and dressing code of this special Mongolian group through a wedding ceremony, which people say is the most effective and efficient way to know an ethnic minority group.

By the side of the beautiful Hohonursz Lake, Meng Ke, a handsome lad Meng Ke and a lovely girl, Nuo Min who fall in love with each other by the side of the beautiful Hohonursz Lake, and have been dating for a long time. Since they are faithful believers of free love, they are preparing getting ready to get married without following abiding by the ancient Brag engagement customs.

Then on One golden autumn day, Meng Ke's family members arrive at Nuo Min's home, aiming to set a wedding date. As all the Barag people are sincere believers in Shamanism, the parents attach much importance to choosing the selection of an auspicious wedding date for their children, and thinking it ias vital of great importance to their children's safety and well-being and safety.
After much discussion and selection, the wedding date is finally set. The good news will soon be known all across widespread on the Barag Grassland, as while the bride and groom's parents busily are busy sending invitations to relatives and friends.

With only ten plus days before away from the wedding, the whole Meng Ke family concentrates on making preparations for the wedding ceremony. According to the Barag customs, the yurt for the newlyweds has to be covered with new felt rugs. So, during the yurt's construction, the new felt rug also has to be made. Rolling the felt rug is an interesting job, which requires many people's participation. When finished, the new felt rug is wrapped up and dragged by a horse.

Meanwhile, at the Nuo Min's home, a group of deft women are making the wedding clothes. On the Barag plain, it is a custom to prepare clothes for the bride for all four seasons; and all of the clothes are hand-made stitch by stitch. Besides, a special pillow is also to be made for the newlyweds.

As the wedding ceremony is a grand social occasion for gathering for the people living on the vast grassland, so everyone will dress themselves in their most beautiful clothes to show their best side. The wedding ceremony, therefore, provides a stage for them to show their personal charm.

After the long-time preparations, the wedding procession finally sets off, as the toastmaster dips his hands into dairy and expresses best wishes to them by paying tributes to the gods. On the Barag plain, the wedding procession always leaves in the night with and the bridegroom is often dressed well like an armed soldier to being sent to the front, both of which have been the traditions ever since Genghis Khan 's times.

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