The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The question in the image is: “20. Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page.”
Since the image only displays this question and not the accompanying text on the page, providing the specific three customs required by the source material is impossible. However, I can describe three distinct and widespread marriage and betrothal customs from various cultures around the world that could potentially be found in such a text.
1. The Exchange of Rings
This is one of the most recognizable betrothal and marriage customs, particularly in Western cultures. The tradition of giving an engagement ring symbolizes a promise of marriage. The wedding ring, typically a plain band exchanged during the ceremony, represents the eternal and unbroken bond of love and commitment between the couple. The circular shape of the ring, having no beginning or end, is a powerful metaphor for infinity and everlasting union. This practice has ancient origins, with evidence suggesting its use by the ancient Romans, who used rings to signify ownership or to seal a contract. Over centuries, it evolved into the deeply romantic and symbolic gesture it is today, signifying a public pledge of lifelong partnership.
2. Bride Price and Dowry
These are two related but distinct economic customs involving a transfer of wealth. A dowry is property or money brought by a bride to her husband upon their marriage. Historically, it was intended to help the new couple establish a household. A bride price, also known as bridewealth, is a payment in the form of money, property, or other valuables made by a groom or his family to the parents of the woman he is about to marry. This custom is often interpreted as compensation to the bride’s family for the loss of her labor and companionship or as proof that the groom is financially capable of supporting a wife. Both practices vary greatly in their meaning and application across different societies.
3. Seeking Parental Blessing
In many cultures, a formal request for a partner’s hand in marriage from their parents is a crucial step in the betrothal process. This tradition stems from a time when marriage was viewed more as an alliance between two families than a union of two individuals. Gaining parental approval was essential for social standing and inheritance. While in many modern societies this has become more of a respectful gesture than a strict requirement, the act of asking for a blessing still serves as an important rite of passage. It honors the parents, acknowledges their role in their child’s life, and symbolizes the joining of the two families.
