Posts Tagged ‘Ethnic Wedding traditions’
Persian weddings are exciting. They consist of lots of laughter, lots of fun, lots of celebration, lots of dancing – and a ton of bling! So far, I have talked about Persian Jewish weddings and Persian Muslim weddings.
I am posting a hymn that is very popular in Persian Christian weddings. It is a combination of confirming the couple’s faith in Jesus Christ as well as a prayer by their family and friends for God’s protection and blessing over the new union.
Here is the translation:
O God, Triune, Transcendent! Love’s spring, for ever flowing!
Upon thy love dependent, Love be from us outgoing.
By thee is love implanted; By Thee each boon is granted;
Where praise of Thee is chanted, Is Heaven, joy bestowing.
For Love’s delight and pleasure, O Lord, we magnify Thee;
For gladness without measure, O Christ, we glorify Thee.
Our future pathway brighten; of harms and hurts that frighten -
Of danger, us enlighten – Of wrong that may defy Thee.
These two, O Lord, do Thou view; They both their troth have plighted -
Are joined in one, as thou too, Art with Thy Church united.
Through all life’s toil and trailing, When young – when frail and failing -
Thy gracious aid availing, Their love be well required.
In Times of tribulation, When ways and means are slender;
In pain and in privation, Renew our hearts’ surrender.
In hours of jubilation, Success and relaxation,
For Thy aid and salvation, Our gratitude we tender.
These two, O Lord, enable, Their welfare coalescing,
In Thee be strong and stable, Each other’s heart possessing.
Their bond with Thee unites them; To faithfulness incites them;
Until death’s call invites them, Grant them for ever blessing.
These are beautiful customs and traditions. I’m all for respecting an honoring traditions – and incorporating different cultures into your own wedding celebrations.
Happy planning!
These lovely words and translations are from Farsinet.com
Jewish Ceremony Traditions
I had a beautiful and meaningful Jewish wedding this weekend. In their program, they included a wonderful explanation of all the lovely Jewish traditions that I wanted to share with you.
Circling
After the processional the Bride circles the Groom. The circling symbolizes the new relationship of the Bride and Groom, each one becoming the center of attention for the other. It is claimed that the circling enables each of them to enter the sphere of the others soul while providing protection and inspiration for their journey through life.
Chuppah
The wedding ceremony takes place under the Chuppah (or marriage canopy), which symbolizes one’s home that the new couple will build together. It is open on all sides to welcome people with unconditional hospitality. The Groom and the Bride are escorted to the Chuppah by their parents. The Chuppah is often handmade by friends and family members. In this particular wedding the Chuppah was made by the Bride’s father and his family. The base was dark wood and the Chuppah was unbelievably beautiful.
The Chuppah can be passed through the generations – each adding their special touch.
Giving of the Rings
A tradition that many cultures have adopted, in Jewish law, a marriage becomes official when the Groom gives an object of value to his Bride. This is traditionally done with a ring. The ring should be made of plain gold without blemishes or ornamentation – just as it is hoped that the marriage will be one of simple beauty.
Ketubah
The word Katubah means it is written. It is a marriage contract detailing the couple’s promise to support and sustain one another. It serves as a declaration of their love, intentions, and obligations to one another. It is displayed as a piece of art in their home.
When the couple signs the Ketubah, a spiritual covenant will be made joining their hearts together in a bond of eternal love and companionship.
The Breaking of the Glass
The breaking of the glass at the end of a Jewish ceremony is a well-known tradition. It reminds of th destruction of the Temples in
Jerusalem, and its fragility symbolizes that the couple’s love must be cared for. It is also a metaphor for the vulnerability of human relationsips. It is a reminder of sorry and an expression of hope for a future free of violence. It symbolizes the separation of single and married live. With shouts of Mazel Tov, the Bride and Groom leave the Chuppah together.
Thanks to Amy and Eric for the wonderful explanation of these traditions.
I wish you, and everybody who reads this blog – the best with your new life partner!
Happy planning.
Gypsies do it, Pagans do it, Africans’ do it, African Americans’ do it, everybody does it!
A very important tradition in African and African American weddings – it usually occurs at the end of the ceremony, right before the couple recesses down the aisle. Typically, we place the broom under the seats in front or give it to the officiant. An “honored person”, chosen by the couple, will then place the broom on the floor at the correct time.
Surprisingly, jumping of the broom has Welsh and Celtic origins. In the Celtic culture, the straw of the broom represents fertility.
Pagan couples are now incorporating the tradition.
Cool, eh?
The broom represents cleanliness, family and fertility. Jumping of the broom is taking the proverbial “leap of faith” or “jumping into marriage”, so to speak. It symbolizes leaving the old single life, for a new married life.
In some parts of Africa, the ceremonial broom is used to sweep away evil.
There are many different variations of the broom jumping ceremony – and I encourage you to find a way that’s meaningful and unique to you!
You can get really cool brooms in your colors of choice on Esty and Ebay.
Happy planning!
The Macedonian Oro
Did you know that the Hora originated in Ancient Greece? The dance was derived from the Khoros – and was danced in a circle – accompanied by singing.
I did not know that.
Homer referred to this dance in his poem, the Iliad.
Cool!
In fact, the Hora was not a Jewish dance until it traveled (via settlers) to Palestine from Romania in the early 20th century. Other traditional circle dances, also derived from the Khoros, can be found all over Eastern Europe and the Balkans. They are all danced in similar fashion, and include…
- Turkish and Romanian Hora
- Bulgarian Horo
- Montenegrin and Macedonian ora
Originally, the Khoros was danced to honor the gods in religious celebrations. It was performed as a circular dance performed in Athens in honor of the God Dionysus. There were variations of the ancient dance since each village had separate religious customs. Later in Ancient Greek Culture – centralized in Athens - it was associated with Greek tragedy, where a group of actors would sing together (choir) commenting on dramatic events taking place. When Christianity came into being, the circular dance was danced on religious holidays. In Romania, it’s common that the Hora is danced on Easter Sunday – as well as in town squares, and in celebration of weddings and other milestones.
The first Jewish Hora was brought by the Romanian folk dancer, Baruch Agadati, in 1924 when he created a Hora for the show by the Ohel Theater Company. This theatrical company toured the early Jewish settlements in Israel.
Hora Agadati, as it was called – became an instant hit!
And, that’s what I say – is history!
Happy planning!
Thanks to Forward.com for the terrific information
Traditionally Hispanic weddings, or Matrimonio, are steeped in spirituality – and involve a full Catholic Mass.
After the vows, as ceremony to symbolize their unity, a long strand of rosary beads or Orange Blossoms (symbolizing fertility and happiness) is placed around the couple by honored family members in the shape of a figure 8. The Groom’s is placed first – followed by the Bride. As an alternative, a double rosary Lazo that has been bathed in holy water may be given by one set of parents – adding to the significance of the tradition.
The loop in the figure 8 shape symbolizes the binding together of the couple everyday as they equally share the responsibility of marriage throughout their lives.
El Lazo is worn through the remainder of the ceremony – and is removed by the couple who placed it – or by the Priest. After the wedding, El Lazo is symbolically displayed in the couple’s home.
It’s a beautiful Spanish inspired tradition.
Happy planning!
Traditional Jewish weddings are graced with a number of pre-ceremony events – Bedeken (Badeken) being just one.
Bedeken , which translates as veiling, is the grooms act of veiling his bride immediately before the ceremony.
There are two explanations of the tradition.
1. This custom is based on the Biblical story where Jacob – who intends to wed Rachel – actually weds Rachel’s sister Leah. He was tricked because she had a veil over her head. To avoid mistakes, Modern Jewish Grooms come to the Bride after his Tish (another pre-ceremony celebration) to place an opaque veil over her head. He does this just to make sure – just one more time -that he is marrying the correct woman.
2. The veil represents modesty and conveys the lesson that no matter how attractive the Bride – beauty fades and the soul and the character remain paramount. The veiling symbolizes the Grooms responsibility to clothe and protect his wife.
The Bedeken ceremony is traditionally public, but can also take place at a private location if it suits the Bride and groom.
Whatever the origins, the ceremony is beautiful and meaningful for the entire family.
Happy planning!
Thanks to Thomas Graves for this beautiful photograph
Blessing of the Kola-nut is an important ritualistic tradition in all West African weddings.
The Kola-nut is a bi
tter nut that is derived from the evergreen Kola tree – which is a member of the Cocoa family. It’s used for many ceremonial purposes, including weddings, in West and Central Africa. It’s a caffeine stimulate is is prized among different groups as the “bread” of gatherings in that it’s blessed, broken and shared by everyone.
Often times the most significant male figure in each family will bless the Kola-nut in his own native language. In our beautiful wedding, the Father of the Bride and Cousin of the Groom (each representing different tribes) blessed the Kola-nut. We then broke it, and passed it down the two long tables for everyone to partake. It is a beautiful and meaningful tradition.
Happy planning!
Thanks to Rachel Smith for the awesome pictures!
Here, Tom and Michelle are wearing custom Korean Hanbok during part of their wedding celebration.
Traditionally, in Korea, the Bride lives with the Grooms family after they get married. The Paebeck ceremony takes place so the Bride and Groom can show respect the Grooms family. It takes place in front of a table containing edibles and tea. Members of the Groom’s family sits in front of the table. The Bride and Groom bow to the honorees and then share tea with them. At this time the honorees impart advice and wisdom onto the couple and will throw chestnuts (symbolizing boys) and dates (symbolizing girls) which the Bride catches in her skirt. The number of chestnuts and dates caught represents the number of children the couple will have.
Since the Bride and Groom no longer live with the Groom’s family, many couples will honor both families in this very beautiful and sacred ritual.
Here is a picture of the Bride in her western wedding attire.
Thanks to Marais Studios for these beautiful photographs
Happy planning!
Persians love to dance. Since this is fun and fabulous Friday – I thought some festive music was in order!
Top Persian Wedding Songs
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- Baba Karam
Mobarak Baad (this is to be played right before the ceremony)
Aroosi Bandari
Aroos O Damad
Khastergari
Aroose Naaz
Shaadoomad
Ghaasem Abaadi
- Baba Karam
Happy Planning!
Persian weddings are divided into two parts
Aghd – where the formal marriage takes place and the marriage contract is signed by the Bride and Groom and their witnesses
Jashn-e-Aroosi – The lavish feast that occurs afterwards.
You will see many posts dedicated to Persian weddings, because of the intricate planning that’s involved. All the Iranian people that I know love the beautiful things in life – lavish flowers (my fav), family, dancing, celebrating, elegant displays of fresh food and fruit, vasts amount of jewelry. Wow. They love weddings – and so do I !
So, here are a few pictures of elegant and extravagant celebrations.
Thanks to our photographers
Merge Weddings, In the Now Weddings, David and Charlotte, Albert Tabibian
Happy planning!
