Shocking footage of two bridesmaids in China being taped to an electric bike and forced to kiss strangers has ignited widespread outrage over vulgar marriage traditions.
In September, a viral video from Shaanxi province in northwestern China showed several men taping two women to an electric bike by the roadside, with one man holding their heads down while another kissed them.
The bridesmaids, dressed in formal gowns, appeared visibly distressed and were screaming, with one of them blushing in embarrassment.
Onlookers filmed the incident, laughing and cheering, with some even helping to hold the bridesmaids’ heads to prevent them from dodging the kisses.
The person who filmed the video stated that it lasted several minutes, and the two men identified as groomsmen were unfamiliar with the bridesmaids.
As of this writing, neither the bride nor the groom has commented on the incident.
One netizen remarked: “The two women looked sad, nearly in tears. This is clear sexual harassment.”
“The onlookers were both indifferent and ignorant, encouraging a crime,” another wrote.
Local officials stated that the incident was part of a wedding prank tradition.
A spokesperson added: “Despite a citywide campaign against such vulgar customs, some people continue to ignore it.”
Wedding pranks, known as hun nao, are common in rural China.
This centuries-old tradition holds that noise and laughter can ward off evil and ease the couple’s nerves.
There is also a saying that enduring such pranks proves a man is a worthy husband.
When conducted in a lighthearted manner, these pranks are thought to add fun to the wedding and strengthen the bonds among guests.
However, in recent times, they have taken a dark turn, evolving into disturbing, harmful, and sometimes sexually exploitative acts.
Last year, a bride from Shanxi province was taped to a phone pole by several men. She fought to break free, but no one intervened.
In May 2016, a groom in eastern China was tied to a tree, smeared with toothpaste, and firecrackers were set off between his legs, and he endured cigarette burns on his feet.
Extreme cases of wedding pranks have been reported across China.
In 2018, a groom in southwestern China was drenched in ink, pelted with eggs, and beaten with bamboo sticks on his way to pick up his bride.
He later suffered multiple fractures in a car crash while attempting to flee.
In a separate incident, three men tied up a groom, resulting in permanent disabilities. They were ordered to pay over 100,000 yuan (US$14,000) in compensation.
One online observer commented: “In some rural areas of mainland China, social pressure silences people, and weak legal oversight allows vulgar pranks to persist. They don’t realise the harm their jokes cause to the couple.” - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
