Chinese villages end centuries old feud, ban on marriages
Marriages barred between the two communities in Fujian province after age-old dispute over water sources and irrigation rights, news website reports
Two villages in eastern China have ended a 300-year-old feud, which barred people from each community from marrying each other, a news website reported.
The dispute between Yuepu and Wushan villages near Nan’an in Fujian province began centuries ago after arguments over water sources to irrigate farmland, according to Qzwb.com.
Since then the two village clans swore an oath never to allow their descendants to marry each other.
Villager elders and officials formally met on Monday morning to announce the feud was over, the report said.
Growing numbers of immigrants have moved to the villages to work in shoe factories and the increased economic cooperation and affluence in the area persuaded residents it was time to end the age-old enmity.