What to do when feelings break down? The custom of Yao people to divorce and remarry

Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, the divorce procedures for the Yao people were simple. As long as both parties agreed, the middle-aged elders of the Yao people were asked to testify and reach an agreement on specific matters such as child support and property disposal. Witnesses would then open or break an object (such as a branch) and hold half of each other, or drink after breaking up, the divorce was established. In the future, the marriage of a man and a woman would be irrelevant. Both men and women of the Yao nationality have the freedom to file for divorce, but if the man files for divorce first, the woman does not have to refund the betrothal money. If the woman files for divorce first, she has to refund part of the social value (betrothal gift) to the man.

Once a Yao couple divorced, both parties had the freedom to remarry, and neither man or woman could interfere.

Editor: Yang Xi)