Afghan Wedding Tradition

1350 Words3 Pages

Marriage in the traditional Afghan culture has a deep-rooted process through which it treads step by step. Rarely do young men and women have an opportunity to meet each other, and the to-be wife is usually chosen in a haste. When a young man wants to marry a young lady who is from an unknown family, first his parents do some kind of background check about her, trying to know more about her morals, beauty, and other family affairs.

If they are contented with what they find, his parents will send a female family member or a relative to her house in order to understand, indirectly or directly, and would disclose the proposal, if the situation is favorable. This consultation process takes some time, and a date is usually fixed to announce the decision among the relatives, if both sides are satisfied with this deal.

The Engagement

Shereny khory or namzady (Dari for: engagement) is the first step to formalize the affinity. The groom's father, accompanied by some kinfolk and elders, comes to the bride's home in a prefixed date with bags of sweets and gifts for the to-be bride, some money and clothes to some family members. After the food is served, the groom's father or a respected man from among the guests formally unveils the purpose for their coming and puts the demand as if the bride's father accepts his son "as a servant of him."

An elder man from the bride's extended or close family receives this demand, and both sides discuss and agree on things such as dowry, jewelry, expenses of the wedding, and other necessities —which are in most cases beyond the capacity of the to-be groom's family.

As it is agreed, a big qand (Dari for: lump sugar) is broken with two sides present and mixed up with sweets to be distributed in ...

... middle of paper ...

... that the bride will stay at her husband's home forever. Then, a number of girls take the bride to her bedroom and the party ends.

Takht jami (Dari for: wrap up the program) is another special ceremony held on third or seventh day after the wedding. Close relatives and friends are invited, and they bring gifts for the bride. These are mostly furniture and dishes for the newly established house.

It is a party special for the girls and women. Gifts are raised one by one, with the name of the person who presented it called out.

A few days after the wedding party, groom will go with some valuable gifts to greet his father-in-law and later the couple's relatives will begin inviting the new couple to their home called Paeewazee.

Works Cited
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&pagename=Zone-English-ArtCulture%2FACELayout&cid=1212925455834

More about Afghan Wedding Tradition

Open Document