Fishing families strive to say 'I do' the traditional way
Fishing families want to preserve their unique wedding traditions, for better or for worse
Wedding ceremonies in Hong Kong's fishing families have their unique traditions, but fewer people know about them as the community dwindles.
Some who grew up in the fishing community, living aboard their boats, are trying to preserve their wedding customs and rituals, such as the bride's songs, the passing of gifts and the boat-rowing parade.
Wong For-kam is one of them. The 57-year-old has been painstakingly documenting the lyrics of songs the brides sing before their wedding, and is working on recording them.
Wong, who grew up on a fishing boat, was married in the traditional way. But she said even back then, the rituals for her ceremony had already been simplified.
Many of these people who used to rely on fishing to earn a living have in recent decades changed occupations and now live on the land.
"People in our generation know only part of [the traditions]. The culture may eventually be lost," she said.
Next Monday, Wong will take part in a wedding to showcase her community's culture to the public as part of the Southern Tourism and Culture Festival.