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A local custom from Longxia village in Zhuzhou, Central China's Hunan Province, has recently caught the attention of the public. When villagers host wedding or funeral banquets, they offer gifts of money based on the current price of 500 grams of pork. This tradition reflects the frugal yet warm-hearted culture of rural communities, emphasizing thoughts and feelings rather than material wealth.

The practice of paying a bride price, also known as a betrothal gift, has its roots in China's wedding rituals. In recent years, topics about sky-high bride prices have frequently come under public scrutiny.

In 2024, China's No. 1 central document called for continued efforts to address prominent issues such as high bride prices and extravagant banquets. This is the first time the term "social burden of etiquette" has appeared in a central document.

"Reducing the social burden in rural areas mainly refers to alleviating the economic and mental pressures that farmers face during significant life events such as weddings, funerals, and other major occasions, caused by traditional customs, social comparisons, and other factors," Lin Shu, a policy researcher based in Southwest China's Guizhou Province, told the Global Times.

"In Longxia village, the traditional custom of giving gift money based on the price of meat is still widely practiced, and it has become an integral part of the local village rules and customs," Li Donghong, a wedding industry professional from a village in Zhuzhou, told the Global Times. "This tradition reflects respect for friends and families, while avoiding excessive burdens. Everyone follows it, and giving gifts is seen as a way of expressing goodwill without much pressure."

In the past, some villages would hold extravagant banquets to express well-wishes among friends and families, inviting everyone in the village to attend. Nowadays, people focus more on harmony and warmth within the family, and banquets are held in a more understated way, aligning better with current values and lifestyles, Li noted.

On the painted wall in Longxia, there is a "village rule" that says, "Weddings and funerals should be held modestly, with meat-price gifts that carry deep meaning." This practice not only eases the economic burden of villagers but also makes relationships between people more genuine and sincere.

"With the moderate simplification of traditional customs, villagers have started to place more emphasis on spiritual communication and care," Li said.

"Although these changes may seem subtle, in reality, they have made our lives much easier, reduced social pressure, and made relationships between people more genuine and intimate," he added.

By promoting the practice of "gifting money based on the price of meat," the village has embraced a new atmosphere where weddings are simplified, funerals are modest, and social obligations are kept at a reasonable level. This shift allows wedding gift to return to its original purpose of expressing goodwill and blessings, shifting the focus from "money" to "emotion."

"The local government and relevant departments can also innovate on other valuable traditional cultures and customs," Lin said.

As a Chinese saying goes, "Though the goose feather sent from afar may be light, the thought behind it is heavy." With a shared hope for harmony in rural area, this new wave is steadily leading the progress of rural civilization.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn