TIBETAN PRINCESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1940, Page 12

TIBETAN PRINCESS.

MARRIES CHINESE WRITER.

UNIQUE WEDDING CEREMONY,

The second daughter of a Tibetan ruler, wster-in-law of t'hu TiU-tiui Living Buddha Kitimiyaii, was married recently to a well-known Chinese writer, Mr. Liu Keh-jan. Through the educational system established by her brother-in-law, who is a brother of the highest living Tibetan Lama, the princess learned to read and speak Chinese, and through his radio set she was closer to China than the average woman of Tibet. She had always dreamed of marrying a Chinees, and when Mr. Liu, 20 years old, handsome and American by training, came to her native town in Labrang, she induced her brother-in-law to invite him to take pictures of her at their house. After a second meeting she asked him to marry her, and, although it meant total exile for the young Ohinese, he was so in love he accepted her proposal, and immediately tested his skill as a horseman by racing the princess, according to Tibetan tradition. Once more, with the help of the brother-in-law, objections raised by the elders were over-ruled. Instead of an engagement ring the princess received two sheep, a pot of wine and a piece of silk blessed by the Living Buddha.

The marraige ceremony was performed by kowtowing three times before the princess' household gods, and in his marriage vow Mr. Liu dedicated himself for life to the advancement of education among his wife's people.