I interrupt my recaps to bring you the news that within the *great* tradition of bride prices, apparently I am worth 150 pigs. Let me back up a little. You know how Mr E and I both grew up in West Papua, the easternmost province of Indonesia? Pretend you remember that for this post anyway. In most Melanesian cultures (such as those of Papua), it is still commonplace for a prospective groom and his family to pay the bride’s family in pigs for her. Now, everyone who knows me knows that I lean more than a little to the feminist side of the spectrum, so during my dad’s speech on our wedding day, he couldn’t resist playing a joke on me by asking Mr E how many pigs he could pay.
On a spur of the moment, Mr E said 150. And little did I know, but the story didn’t stop there!
Wooden Piggy Circle
Wooden Piggy Line-Up
The other day, my new in laws sent a “first installment” of 9 tiny wooden pigs to my parents. They plan to make it a running joke for the next decade or so, culminating with a real live pig for my family to take to the Papuan village where I spent much of my childhood.
Maybe one like this? So cute! (found here)
Sometimes you just have to laugh. 
I have to admit, it was kind of fun sneaking a little bit of our Melanesian upbringing into our wedding, even if it was tongue-in-cheek.
Are there any *outdated* marriage traditions from your cultural background that you have found interesting to learn about?
*All pics personal unless otherwise noted
hahah – thats hilarious!
I made it clear to my parents that while my Dad would be walking me down the aisle, I was not being “given away”. I also tend towards the feminist side so I really don’t like the tradition of bride prices and whatnot and my being traded for X number of goats etc. So when the priest asked “who gives this woman?” my dad said “she gives herself freely, with our blessings”. And then he leaned over to me and whispered “Now, when do I get my goats?” 
I laughed and slugged him in the shoulder…. in front of everyone who did NOT hear the inside joke. WHOOPS!!! And later I slugged my brother when he suggested that the goats would have been a better trade. And of course – its all on film! Damn my photogs for capturing those moments! heheheh.
@mdarrah: Ha! That sounds like something I would have done 
That’s so funny! I really enjoy that they are going to keep this tradition going for several years.
Ha ha ha. You need to google and watch the amazing Mormon value lesson of Johnny Lingo and Mahana. He pays 5 cows for his wife and somehow it helps her self-esteem. You would get a kick out of it, I think.
@Shannag: *snort* The google gods delivered on that one. Too funny!
I love your in-laws for not only following up on that, but doing so in such a great way that will allow you to relive your wedding day for the next decade. Hi-larious! Also, loving that little piggy. So cute!
This is the cutest story ever! And I love that they actually backed it up with the goods (or at least wooden representations of the goods). What a great way to start a unique family tradition.
@Mrs. Earrings: Oh god. I obviously haven’t watched it recently enough if I thought she was only a five cow wife. My favorite parts about that short are: the face of the toothless woman as the camera pans around the village to see how shocked everyone is about the 8 cow declaration and the lines “Mahana, you ugly! Get down from that tree!” This was also my favorite part of church growing up.
Aw what a great story Mrs Earrings! It’s amazing how different cultures can be. I know a woman who married a Tongan man who now both live here in Wales. They were telling me how in Tonga the groom has to go out into the woods straight after they are married and kill a wild bore with his bare hands, or no one at the wedding gets to eat! Different worlds! Think it’s lovely that your background has been incorporated into your wedding- even if the little piggies are wooden!
I’m getting married in the U.S. and have lived here since I was in high school. However, in my West African culture, you do still pay a bride price. My brother did when he got married last year. It’s not as elaborate and ostentatious as it used to be when I was a little girl. Then you had cows, goats, sheep, lots of clothes, yams, cassava, lots and lots of goodies for the brides’ families!
I love this idea. Little piglets = adorable! Your families have a great sense of humor.
My dad always jokes to his best friend that my sister will marry his friend’s son, but only for fifty goats. It’s been a running joke since we were all kids.
Haha, this is awesome! My family would so do something like this too.
A good girlfriend of mine is Armenian, so as a respectful joke to her father, her husband M purchased a little bronze camel when he asked for her hand. So cute and a nod to tradition!
Hahaha, wow, I can’t believe they actually did that. I wouldn’t know whether to be flattered or highly offended.
Mrs. Earrings, Fresno, CA/ Nelson, New Zealand Age and Occupation: 20, Student, Wannabe Writer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 19, Photography Student Engagement Date: February 14, 2010 Wedding Date: January 2011 Venue: Gardens of the World About Me: I'm a girl from down under who grew up in Indonesia and I'm marrying a California boy. I'm addicted to all things sweet, have never met a chocolate silk pie than can get the better of me, and have dreams of one day being a fulltime novelist. I go weak in the knees for lace, tea cups, and a beautifully crafted sentence. When I get excited about something (whether it is historical linguistics or the Beatles) I tend to go overboard in research, and planning this wedding is no different. Mr. Earrings is my high school sweetheart, my best friend, and somehow we combine all our quirks into one big happy mess.
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