Vietnamese Wedding, Alameda, CA, 1989
Honoring family first, Luong Le and Cap bowed to his family altar behind them. On the altar are three images: a photograph of Cap's father and other deceased relatives who bear witness to this marriage. Now the couple welcome their families to the table.
Katrina Thomas's notes: Under a special act of Congress, refugees from Vietnam were first admitted to the U.S. after the fall of Saigon in April 1975. They included ethnic Chinese, Eurasians and Amerasians born there, most of whom are Christian. Vietnamese have settled largely in Texas, and in California, the state in which I photograph them. Weddings start at the bride's house with a formal introduction of the two families, followed by bestowing jewelry on her by the bridegroom's family, and progress to the bridegroom's house to honor his family. In their home country, their own customs were influenced previously by French culture so that couples here adapt rapidly to American ways. The ethnic nuptial rite has been superseded by the Christian rite or a Buddhist blessing.
Thomas, Katrina (photographer)
1989
1 photograph : color
reformatted digital
North and Central America--United States--California--Alameda--Alameda
BMC-M59
Photographer's categories: Conjugal home , Welcome , Bride , Bridegroom , Bowing , Altar , In-laws
BMC-M59_C63-14