(Photo Source: http://www.funnyfunnyjokes.org/2011/02/25/electronic-marriage-funny-pictures/)
Last summer I asked my college students in Anthropology 1, aside from learning anthropological concepts and theories inside the classroom - to explore places, experience cultural happenings, and then apply their learning through writing ethnographic accounts using the method of participation-observation.
I am posting in my blog with the writer's consent selected ethnography penned creatively by my students to contribute to the emerging sub-discipline of anthropology called 'Virtual Ethnography'.
Basically, virtually ethnography is also referred to as Webnography. We cannot deny the fact that with increasing use of technology and the Internet, there is now a demand for online spaces on various ethnographic accounts.
Ethnography By Pink Celine Aparicio
Marriage is everywhere in the world. Virtually all societies practice marriage (Ember & Ember, 2007). Most, if not all human beings, practically get married or knows someone who gets married. To get a scope on this, I have researched and participated in wedding events in the realm of the world wide web. I acknowledge the growth of internet use today. Hence, I am also aware of the boon and bane of the net. However, this ethnography will give you hindsight of the emergence of electronic marriage or E-marriage.
If almost all communities in the world are sensible of wedding rites and marriage, then how plausible would a cyber marriage exist in online community nowadays? Secondly, if marriage is a means for sexual and economic union, traditionally between a man and a woman, would this be entailed the same in electronic marriage? Lastly, if marriage is universal, thus, the internet would virtually make our planet a global village. Then, would it be possible now that with just a one click away from the net, jurisdiction of marriage celebration would no longer be legal issues in conflicts of laws?
At http://www.irom.org/, I engage myself in marriage. Although single in real life, I have myself get married online to myself, to do accomplish my task for this ethnography. Indeed, Celine Valmoria (my second name and middle name) is now married Pink Aparicio (my first name and last name).
The e-marriage is interesting. Participants (virtual groom and bride) get to attend an online chapel with an ordained minister officiates the wedding rites. Invited guests can even chat while observing the online marriage ceremony. Instead of saying their vows, the couple will encode them. When the minister pronounces them as husband and wife, the couple can kiss via emoticons. After the ceremony, a Certification of Marriage will be sent to the online couple through e-mail. However, the couple may also order a hard copy of the Marriage Certificate via shipment.
As part of my experiment for this ethnography, after I got married online, the text my Marriage Certificate, written as follows:
Dear Celine Valmoria and Pink Aparicio
Via this email, we pronounce you husband and wife. Regardless of your race, language or faith, from this day forward, you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. You will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. There will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. From this day, you are two persons, with only one life before you. Your hopes and dreams are now intermingled, and you will strive for harmony through compromise and forgiveness.
May beauty surround both of you in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be full of tenderness, commitment and understanding.
Congratulations and thank you for registering your marriage with us. Although this email document has no legal significance, we hope you will treat it with respect, print it out, and hang it in an honored place at home.
Please note that this marriage is indissoluble and regardless of the direction your relationship takes after this day, this marriage will be a permanent record of your life’s most romantic moment, beautifully engraved in history. In other words, there is no such thing as divorce at iROM.org, and your commitment is forever.
Now that you have registered your marriage, you might also wish to invite your friends to view your iROM Marriage registration at http://www.irom.org/list.php?MonthWedded=201105#97227. Simply email them this link and let them share the joy with them.
Signed
Ministry of Love iROM.org
Unfortunately, this form of marriage is void and not legally binding. It is not recognized by any state or district. Online marriages are mostly viewed as source of laughter and fun. However, the intent and purpose vary from one couple to another. Other couples consider the marriage certificate as a pact between lovers, especially to those in a long distance relationship. In some circumstances, lovers use this medium as the meet and fall in love online, and directly express their affection via online weddings.
In conclusion, I still have much doubt? What message does online marriage reflects our current fast-paced and deterritorialized world nowadays? It may be a laughing stock and fun today but once this evolves and made serious, do we see this medium legal and valid in the near future?
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