Of Horses and Weddings

Instead of rings and roses, a marriage proposal in the Manobo culture is a totally different arrangement.

A young man tells his parents about the girl whom he wants to marry. The young man’s father will proceed to the girl’s house and tie a horse in their front yard. If the girl’s parents like the boy, they will ask their daughter if she likes him too. Should the girl agree, her father accepts the horse. The two families will then come together to discuss the wedding preparations. However, if the girl refuses, her father brings back the horse to its owner.

Girls as young as ten or eleven years old were already considered of marriageable age. However, many young Christian Manobo do not marry right away. Their young people now choose to go to school, pursue college education and fulfill their dreams and potentials according to God’s plan. Praise God for ministry partners whom God used for these young people to have scholarship so they can continue their schooling.