In rural villages in Nepal, marriages were often arranged. The man and woman met each other for the first time when they were tying the knot. But then young people decided to take matters into their own hands: they started writing love letters to those they liked. "I send love and remembrances forever," wrote one suitor, "that like a river, can never dry up." Professor Laura Ahearn tracked one village for nearly 30 years. On Valentine's Day, she talks about how love letters helped young folks choose their own spouses, and how courtship is changing for villagers with mobile phones.

Laura Ahearn speaks Monday, February 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at UNLV's Barrick Museum Auditorium.

GUEST
Laura Ahearn, Assoc Prof of Anthropology, Rutgers U

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