Excuse me: What are the customs about betel nuts in your hometown?

Having lived in Hainan for more than 10 years, I still have a certain understanding of some local customs. I am personally quite interested in the betel nut culture here. I have heard some customs about betel nut. The small green fruit is a must-have item in many Hainan people’s marriages, social interactions, sacrifices and New Year greeting customs.

Let’s talk about the role of betel nut in marriage! Betel nut is an important token of love and marriage for the Li people in Hainan. From love to engagement, appointment, and marriage, betel nut is inseparable from the whole process. There is a folk love song that goes like this: "Send a mouthful of betel nut to test your brother's heart. One mouthful of betel nut smells good. Two mouthfuls of betel nut warm your heart. Three mouthfuls of betel nut serve as a matchmaker." Betel nut has become a token of affection between men and women.

After the relationship is confirmed, when the young man goes to the girl’s house to propose marriage, he will bring a box of betel nuts to the door. If the girl’s parents open the box and take out a betel nut to eat, it means that the marriage is confirmed; no. If you eat it, it's probably out of reach. After successfully proposing a marriage, on the wedding day, the newlyweds will distribute betel nuts to relatives and friends who come to congratulate them to express their gratitude. What I described may be a bit simplistic, but the actual process is a bit more complicated and interesting. If you have the chance, you can really come and experience it.