Story perspectives

Bao’an Wedding Ritual: Groom’s Family Whips Bride’s Father

1/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Bao’an ethnic group in northwestern China practice a wedding ritual called flogging the father-in-law, where the groom's family whips the bride's father 20 times as he kneels to apologize for not disciplining his daughter.
There are around 24,000 Bao’an.
Islam is the group's predominant faith.
Their marriage customs include matchmaking, engagement confirmation, bride price delivery, and songdingcha gift.
Marriage ages were set at 17 for males and 15 for females.

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Story summary

The Bao’an ethnic group in northwestern China practice a wedding ritual called flogging the father-in-law, where the groom's family whips the bride's father 20 times as he kneels to apologize for not disciplining his daughter.
There are around 24,000 Bao’an.
Islam is the group's predominant faith.
Their marriage customs include matchmaking, engagement confirmation, bride price delivery, and songdingcha gift.
Marriage ages were set at 17 for males and 15 for females.