A man in China has accused the adoptive parents of his 16-year-old daughter of selling her as a “ghost bride” after she died by suicide. According to Sun, the adoptive parents of Xiaodan allegedly received a bride price of 66,000 yuan (US$9,300) for marrying her posthumously to a deceased man named Zhang.
Despite tracing the money transfer, authorities found no legal grounds for prosecution, showcasing the intricate interplay of ancient traditions and contemporary legal frameworks.
Ghost marriages, deeply entrenched in Chinese history for over 3,000 years, involve creating familial ties between deceased individuals, forming what is known as the “ghost couple.”
This tradition aims to secure blessings for unmarried individuals in the afterlife. Despite facing criticism as an affront to the deceased and modern society, ghost marriages endure in specific less-developed rural areas, illustrating the challenges of harmonizing cultural practices with evolving legal perspectives.
Sun’s allegations against the adoptive parents include orchestrating a posthumous marriage for Xiaodan and receiving a substantial bride price.
While ghost marriages carry cultural significance, critics contend that they contribute to crimes such as the theft of corpses or bone ashes to serve as “brides” for deceased men.
The absence of legal repercussions in Xiaodan’s case further underscores the difficulties of navigating the intersection of ancient customs with contemporary legal frameworks.
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