Bridesmaids Tied Up and Forced to Kiss Strangers: Outrage in China Over "Tradition"

Video of Pranks Amounting to Sexual Harassment Spreads
Criticism Mounts Over "Violence in the Name of Tradition"

A video showing bridesmaids in China being tied to motorcycles and forced to kiss strangers is rapidly spreading. Although this is said to be part of a traditional wedding custom known as "hunnao," there has been a strong backlash against the violent and excessive nature of the scenes.

Chinese bride and groom. Stock photo for article reference only, unrelated to the main content. Photo by AFP.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on October 9, a video believed to have been filmed in September in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, has gone viral online. The footage shows several men binding two bridesmaids to electric motorcycles with tape, then grabbing their heads and forcing them to kiss other men.

The women, appearing terrified, screamed and tried to pull away, but laughter and cheers erupted from those around them. Some people even held the women's heads to prevent them from escaping. The person who filmed the video explained, "This situation lasted for several minutes, and the men who kissed the women appeared to be groomsmen, but they did not know the bridesmaids." Chinese internet users who saw the video expressed outrage, calling it "blatant sexual harassment," "not a prank but a crime," and "disgusting."

Traditional Custom to Ward Off Evil Spirits... Now Sexual and Violent

A shocking video showing bridesmaids in China being tied to motorcycles and forced to kiss strangers has spread, sparking controversy over the excessive and outdated wedding custom known as "hunnao." Douyin

The Chinese wedding custom known as "hunnao" is a rural tradition that has been practiced for centuries. It is believed that loud noises and laughter drive away evil spirits and help the bride and groom relax, and there is a saying that enduring such pranks proves a man will make a good husband.

In the past, these customs were carried out in a light-hearted manner to add joy to the wedding and strengthen bonds among guests. However, there is growing criticism that they have increasingly turned into acts of sexual exploitation. In fact, excessive cases of hunnao continue to be reported across China. Last year in Shaanxi Province, a bride was tied to a telephone pole by several men, and no one helped her as she struggled to free herself.

Local Governments Move to Ban Hunnao

Some local governments in China have classified hunnao as a "vulgar wedding custom" and have begun taking action against it. In 2021, Zouping City in Shandong Province issued an official notice banning all acts of harassment against brides, grooms, or their attendants, warning that violators could face criminal punishment by public security authorities. Zouping City stated, "The essence of a wedding should be love and blessing, and any act that causes discomfort or humiliation is a social harm," urging citizens to voluntarily boycott such practices.

Most Chinese internet users have welcomed these measures. One Weibo user pointed out, "Some people commit acts of violence under the pretense of making weddings fun," adding, "Although the ban on hunnao is overdue, it is absolutely necessary."