The on-water wedding tradition of Doumen, a centuries-old custom originating in the Zhuhai Doumen water villages, stems from the matchmaking and wedding ceremonies of the Tanka people. Since its inclusion in China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008, this tradition has been revitalized through the "Intangible Cultural Heritage+" model and the amplification of new media, showcasing its enduring charm.

From November 23rd to 24th, the 13th Doumen On-Water Wedding Collective Ceremony unfolded romantically in Lianzhou Town. Nine couples, seated in decorated bridal boats, traversed a 9.9-mile wedding waterway, passing landmarks such as the Lingnan Grand Herb Garden, Shilong Village, Shanglan Village, and culminating in Dongwan Village—a journey symbolizing eternal love. Traditional customs, such as on-water bridal welcoming and blessing songs, were faithfully reenacted, captivating a large number of audiences both in person and online. A representative from the Culture, Radio, Tourism Sports& Bureau of Doumen District highlighted that the collective ceremony not only preserves the integrity of the marriage rituals but also allows younger generations to experience the unique allure of traditional culture.

This event has evolved into a cultural brand of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, drawing participants from diverse backgrounds, including doctoral couples, international newlyweds, and Hong Kong and Macao residents, demonstrating its broad societal influence. As a standout project blending culture and tourism, the on-water wedding tradition has attracted numerous tourists, boosting the local tourism sector and cultural tourism economy.

Beyond the real-life ceremonies, Doumen's on-water wedding tradition has found artistic expression. During the Zhuhai Arts Festival, the large-scale local dance drama "The Bride as Water" drew inspiration from the tradition, blending it with the historical backdrop of Doumen villagers resisting invaders during the earlyQing Dynasty. The production tells the story of Zhenzhu, a Tanka woman, who pursues true love and dedicates herself to defending her homeland. Praised for its touching narrative, authentic folk elements, and Lingnan music, the drama has received high acclaim, achieving a seating rate of over 95% and an additional 200 ticket sales, heralding a new path for intangible heritage preservation.

In addition, the integration of "intangible heritage" and "new media" has further expanded the reach of Doumen's on-water wedding tradition. Through short videos, live streams, and animated creations, the age-old custom has captivated younger audiences. In 2023, the Yangcheng Evening News team produced a series titled "The Charm of Intangible Heritage in Doumen," with a video on on-water weddings garnering over 100,000 views on the app "Young Pai." Additionally, the "Lingnanon the Cloud" international platform shared the content across the Asia-Pacific and North America, enhancing the global influence of Lingnan culture.

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

跨越百年的浪漫：斗门水上婚嫁在网络时代绽放新姿

斗门水上婚嫁是珠海斗门水乡流传数百年的传统民俗，源自疍家人对歌成亲的礼仪。2008年入选国家级非物质文化遗产名录后，这一习俗在“非遗+”模式和新媒体传播的助推下，展现出勃勃生机。  

11月23日至24日，第十三届斗门水上婚嫁集体婚礼在莲洲镇浪漫上演。9对新人坐着船轿沿9.9里的婚礼水道缓缓前行，途经岭南大地百草园、石龙村、上栏村，直抵东湾村，寓意“长长久久”。整个婚礼过程完整展示了水上迎亲、祝福歌曲等传统习俗，吸引大量游客和线上观众。斗门区文化广电旅游体育局相关负责人表示，通过集体婚礼，不仅保留了婚嫁礼仪的完整性，也让年轻一代感受到传统文化的独特魅力。  

这一活动已成为粤港澳大湾区的文化品牌。参与者背景多样，包括博士夫妇、中外新人和港澳同胞，展现了其广泛的社会影响力。同时，作为文旅融合的亮点项目，水上婚嫁吸引了大量游客，助推了当地旅游业和文旅经济发展。

在现实中的集体婚礼展现了水上婚嫁习俗的魅力后，该非遗项目通过艺术形式得到了进一步升华。珠海艺术节推出的大型本土舞剧《水上新娘》，以斗门水上婚嫁为艺术灵感，融合清道光年间淇澳军民抗击外敌的历史背景，讲述疍家女儿珍珠追求真爱、投身保家卫国的故事。该剧凭借感人的剧情、原汁原味的民俗元素和岭南音乐，赢得观众好评，开创了非遗传承的新途径。据悉，演出上座率超过95%，并增加200余张票。  

与此同时，“非遗+新媒体”进一步拓宽了斗门水上婚嫁的传播空间。从短视频、直播到动漫创作，传统民俗通过创新形式吸引了更多年轻观众。2023年，羊城晚报团队推出《非遗魅力，尽在斗门》系列报道，其水上婚嫁视频在羊城派客户端点击量突破10万，并通过“云上岭南”国际传播平台覆盖亚太、北美等地，进一步提升岭南文化的国际影响力。  

文 | 杨雪薇
图 | 受访者提供
译 | 赵凡
英文审校 | 林佳岱