A wedding is the most important event in the life of every Uzbek: they begin to prepare for it from the birth of a child and celebrate it on a grand scale
Getting to an Uzbek wedding is a great success for a traveler: it is there that you can see the most ancient traditions and fully understand the inhabitants of the eastern country. A wedding is the most important event in the life of every Uzbek: they begin to prepare for it from the birth of a child and celebrate it on a grand scale. Having married the eldest son, they immediately begin to organize the next celebration, because there are many children in Uzbek families. We talk about the most interesting rites and rituals of an Uzbek wedding.
1. Fatiha tui (engagement)
Preparations for a wedding begin with matchmaking: very often parents look for a future wife or husband for their children, and if they managed to agree on everything, the engagement is celebrated - fatiha tui
. It is celebrated in the bride's house, where tables are set and the closest relatives on both sides and the most respected neighbors are invited.
On this day, among the treats there are a lot of sweets - sweets, halva, traditional pastries, and in Bukhara and Samarkand the engagement is called shirin-khuri
(literally “eating sweets”).
The groom's relatives give the bride expensive gifts, and during a table conversation they discuss with future relatives the details of the upcoming wedding: place, time, number of guests, size of the dowry and bride price - these concepts are still relevant in Uzbekistan today.
14 interesting facts about Uzbekistan and Uzbek people.
How does matchmaking and engagement work?
After the most worthy candidate for the role of the future wife is selected, matchmakers are sent to her. This ritual is called “fatiha-tui”. The girl’s family does not immediately give a positive answer, even if from the very beginning they understand that the wedding is going to happen.
When the matchmakers cross the threshold of their house for the third time, they will receive consent; for this, a special cake is broken by the parents on both sides. Uzbeks are sensitive to bread, and promises are made on it, breaking which means bringing shame on one’s family.
Finding a bride is not a simple or quick matter; the ideal candidate must be liked by the guy’s parents, and preferably himself, be attractive, modest, educated, a skilled housewife and belong to a good family. Without the approval of the parents of the young man, one cannot even dream of matchmaking.
This day will be considered the date of engagement, which Uzbeks celebrate cheerfully and invite all neighbors.
This custom is also supported by practical significance: all matchmakers will know that the girl in this house is engaged.
They immediately agree on the date on which they plan to have the wedding and indicate the amount of the bride price that the groom must pay to the parents.
The tradition of giving a girl’s parents a substantial ransom arose because girls are introduced to work from early childhood and at an age suitable for marriage, they can quickly cope with any household work and are good helpers for their mothers. By taking a couple of working hands from home, an Uzbek must compensate the family for this damage.
Previously, it was customary for the newlywed to pay all wedding expenses in full, but today many people divide this amount in half.
2. Morning pilaf
An Uzbek wedding, like other important events, cannot be imagined without the main national dish: “You were born - you have pilaf, you got married - you have pilaf, you died - you have pilaf,” the Uzbeks say. On the wedding day, it is prepared very early, at the end of morning prayer, that is, at 6–7 o’clock in the morning. of karnai notify everyone about the beginning of the holiday.
(long pipes) and
doiras
(drums). Morning pilaf is prepared only by men, usually in the groom’s house; it is served on the table in huge dishes, and part of the food is sent to the bride’s house with congratulations.
Each region of Uzbekistan has its own recipe for wedding pilaf: for example, in Tashkent, chickpeas, raisins, whole heads of garlic and a lot of spices are added to it - cumin, paprika, black pepper, cilantro seeds and saffron.
After the wedding
For three days after the wedding, the young wife is a guest in her husband’s house; she is not touched or involved in household chores, giving her time to get used to it and get used to her new role and family.
Then daily life begins.
The next large-scale event in the life of the couple will be beishek tui (the ritual of the first swaddling of a child).
First-born children appear quickly in Uzbek families; here it is not customary to delay the birth of a child, otherwise others may form the opinion that the couple has difficulties with procreation, gossip will begin, and in this country considerable importance is attached to public opinion and they try to avoid negative fame.
This video contains fragments of a beautiful Uzbek wedding:
Uzbek weddings today are not much different from those celebrated 100–200 or more years ago. In cities, morning pilaf can be ordered in a restaurant, and the bride will wear not a folk costume, but a classic white dress. This is where the differences, in general, end; the customs of this country, carefully protected, have reached us in all their beauty and originality, and photos from a wedding sometimes resemble pictures taken from an old book of fairy tales. Have you ever been a guest at such a holiday?
3. Nikoh (wedding)
Registration at the registry office among Uzbeks is preceded by the religious ritual nikoh
: It is so important that without it the marriage is considered invalid.
Nikoh is held in the bride's house, where the bride waits for the groom, covering her face with a veil. The sacrament is attended only by the newlyweds, their parents and the imam - a priest who explains to the newlyweds their rights and responsibilities, and then reads the wedding prayer ( khutbai nikoh
) and declares them husband and wife.
Before the ceremony, the groom tastes honey and treats the bride, and then they look together in a new mirror - so that family life is sweet and serene.
General touches of Uzbek wedding traditions
It is customary to invite a large number of guests, respected people, and set rich tables to a wedding. In addition, the groom pays bride price for his future wife to her parents. The bride's family prepares a large, expensive dowry, and future relatives exchange gifts. Modern Uzbeks cannot imagine weddings without observing these traditions, the violation of which is considered a disgrace in Uzbek society for both the newlyweds and their parents.
This approach to weddings requires serious material costs; many families are forced to take out loans, which has seriously worried the authorities of Uzbekistan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev criticized the overly lavish celebrations and expensive pre-wedding events; officials began preparing proposals to regulate this issue at the legislative level. Imams began to explain to people the harmfulness and inexpediency of extravagance in holding weddings, since Islam does not encourage conspicuous luxury.
Nevertheless, weddings in the republic continue to be magnificent, satisfying, crowded and very beautiful.
4. Saying goodbye to parents
In some regions of Uzbekistan, a touching custom has been preserved: before leaving her home, the bride says goodbye to her parents. The girl bows to her father, asks permission to leave the family and thanks him for everything, the father kisses her forehead and lets her go, blessing her. Then she turns to her mother with words of gratitude, they hug, and the mother sees off her daughter, who leaves the house, taking her dowry with her. Accompanied by her friends, she goes to the groom's house, crosses the threshold to festive songs, bows to the home, and is showered with sweets and coins, wishing her a happy life.
The search for a future spouse and the matchmaking process
An Uzbek wedding differs from a Russian one in its rituals. The bride is the girl who has a special character. Her search is carried out by professionals in the form of a grandmother, mother or older sister.
When selecting a candidate, the situation in the girl’s family is taken into account. Priority is given to those women who grew up in a full-fledged and prosperous family. Parents should be honored and respected. The key points when choosing a future spouse are social status and upbringing. Since ancient times, it was believed that in order to strengthen relationships and raise the social status of the family, the groom was tied by marriage to the family that has a high status.
A man can start looking for his future wife himself. Only love and passion take last place. Despite this, the final choice remains with the man’s parents.
If the choice of son suits the elders, then they begin the matchmaking process. The matchmakers go to the future wife's home. The date is set in advance so that the bride's family can prepare for the event. After the matchmakers have arrived, they are seated at a table, at which a conversation takes place between the elders on various topics. While drinking tea, a young girl takes care not only of her betrothed, but also of the guests. She must ensure that tea is always poured and that the invited guests remain happy and fed.
During the conversation, matchmakers pay attention to several things in the form of:
- home decoration;
- tidiness and order;
- the bride's good behavior;
- meekness and laconicism;
- ability to manage housework;
- relations between parents;
- the relationship of elders to their daughter;
- relations with guests.
The decision about the wedding is made only after the third visit. Then the elders of the future wife share the cake. This sign symbolizes a positive decision to give your daughter in marriage. First, a traditional engagement is held, which is called Fatiha-Tui. The celebration is characterized by pomp. Many guests are invited. The girl is given gifts and sweets by the groom. Then the Uzbek wedding takes place.
Nikoh tui
Nikoh tui
- this is the main part of the ceremony: a wedding feast, a magnificent feast with songs, dances and competitions. The newlyweds are presented with gifts, and up to 500 people - relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors - gather at the festive table.
Grandiose celebrations are associated with huge expenses, so in 2019, Uzbekistan even passed a law according to which a wedding should not last longer than a day, and there should be no more than 200 guests. How strictly it is observed is a separate question.
Celebration
The wedding itself begins in full after the bride, along with her dowry, crosses the threshold of her new home. The wedding feast used to always take place in the house of the groom's parents, but these days it can also take place in a restaurant.
The young woman is greeted with a white path, along which she must approach her new family, bow to them, performing kelin salom, and they, in return, present their acquired daughter with valuable gifts and money. After family members have given each other due welcome and respect, the wedding feast begins. There are always a lot of guests: relatives, friends, acquaintances, neighbors; weddings often number up to several hundred people, and on special occasions – up to a thousand.
The tables are laden with food. The traditional dishes of this day are a special “wedding” version of pilaf (tui palov), manti, noodles with horse meat, sausages, cheeses, vegetables, and sweets. During the celebration, the husband personally puts on his wife the gifts prepared for her, wrist watches and bracelets. The songs and dances do not subside until late in the evening. The celebration ends with the bride and groom leaving the feast and being separated for a short time.
The new wife will be met by her closest friend, who will help her take off her festive clothes and leave the girl behind a special curtain (gushanga).
Then the husband should come in the company of friends, he gives Yanga a ransom and, saying goodbye to his entourage, goes to his wife.
The last third day (Kelin Sam) is celebrated by a narrower circle of relatives.
Relatives from his side and the young wife’s side gather in the new husband’s house, where she will greet them as a hostess with bows. These movements are special; they are learned long before the wedding.
Actually, kelin is a daughter-in-law, and salom is a bow, so from the name of the day it is clear what the girl has to do. Everyone always brings her gifts, and she can give her a towel, handkerchief or other item if she wishes. It is believed that a gift from Kelin brings good luck. Honor and bows are due to everyone who comes, regardless of his age, gender and social status. The fun continues.
A man may not be at home at this time, but eat pilaf with his friends.
6. Kelin lard
One of the oldest Uzbek traditions is kelin salom.
(meeting daughter-in-law). This ritual is carried out the morning after the wedding: getting up early, the young wife sweeps the yard, and then meets guests who bring gifts - dishes, carpets, bedspreads and other useful things. When accepting gifts, the daughter-in-law bows deeply to each guest, and only after all the congratulations does she reveal her face and become a full member of the family.
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Uzbek wedding customs
According to ancient customs, wedding expenses were borne by the future spouse. But modern Uzbek families split expenses in half between two families. This is explained by the fact that the celebration is held magnificently and brightly. The main moment of the wedding ceremony is the transition of the wife to the man’s house. But before that you need to go through several customs.
A distinctive feature of daughters-in-law is the abundance of jewelry. This type of future wife characterizes the peculiarity of Uzbek wives among other eastern peoples. The presence of a nose ring indicates marital fidelity. There are many bracelets on the hands, and rings on the fingers. Particular attention is paid to the bride's headdress. People believe that jewelry can protect them from the evil eye, so you can often see an overabundance of them.
Cooking a national dish
The main dish of Uzbeks is pilaf. One of the main traditions is the preparation of this dish. The event takes place in the house of the future wife, but it is carried out exclusively by the male half. Before carrying out the ceremony, it is necessary to coordinate all the points with relatives, neighbors and acquaintances. The fruit is prepared for the moment of completion of the morning prayer. Then the men sit down at the table. For a long time, guests have been drinking tea, flat cakes and pilaf. The event lasts at least 2 hours.
Carrying out “nikoh-tui”
The suit is given to the groom by the girl's relatives. The day before the event, the future husband moves in with his wife. The bride wears a traditional wedding costume and always covers her face with a veil. This will avoid the evil eye. Before formalizing the marriage, the newlyweds go through the betrothal process with the imam. This event is called the sacrament “nikoh-tui”. During the procedure, the imam says prayers. After this, the spouses promise to remain faithful for life and respect their relatives.
The bride's farewell to her home
Parting with relatives also applies to traditional customs. After the sacrament has been performed and the marriage has been officially registered, the husband takes his wife to her parental home. Traditions involve parents mourning their daughter. Thus, they wish her happiness in her married life. In the morning hours, the daughter leaves her parents' house forever, accompanied by her husband.
When seeing off their daughter, the family gives away the entire dowry, which includes things in the form of:
- Uzbek mattresses;
- bed linen;
- kitchen utensils.
They also send everything that is needed on the farm.
Gala feast and national menu
The husband brings his wife to his house, where the couple's relatives are waiting for the newlyweds. A white carpet is first placed on the threshold. From this moment the family life of the newlyweds begins.
The wife, having crossed the threshold of the house, must worship him. And her in-laws shower coins on her, thus wishing her happiness in her family life. After familiarization with the new home, the main stage of fun occurs. Previously, the holiday was celebrated at the husband’s home, but modern families spend the holiday within the walls of a restaurant.
The events take place with noise and fun. Usually up to 300-400 guests come. The event is characterized by national singing and dancing. Everything will be captured on photo and video.
The tables are rich in treats in the form of:
- thuja palov (special wedding pilaf);
- manti (traditional oriental meat dish);
- Naryn (thinly sliced noodles with horse meat);
- turupa (Margelan radish salad);
- kazov (horse sausage).
There are other types of delicacies on the table.
Kelim Salom
The wedding celebration does not end there. The next day, from early morning, guests come to the newlyweds’ home. The room must be kept in order. The walls are decorated with various national elements. The wife greets each invitee who brings gifts. She bows, accepts gifts, and then in return gives things in the form of jewelry, scarves or snow-white towels.
Guests sit from morning until evening. They carry gifts that will be useful to the newlyweds in life. This includes dishes, carpets, bedspreads and other things.
An Uzbek wedding is characterized by color. But at the same time, the people always treat everyone who comes to the solemn event hospitably and cordially. Despite such customs, Uzbek families live happily ever after.
Wedding preparations
An Uzbek wedding is always preceded by a conspiracy. According to tradition, a matchmaker is sent to the chosen one’s house. The action is also mandatory if the young people already know each other and decide to get married, and the groom’s parents approved his choice. Usually matchmakers are women. Although in some cities of the Samarkand region this role is performed by men. Matchmakers and matchmakers are always greeted hospitably.
If the groom is not suitable, then the matchmaker places the shoes with their toes facing the front door. This means that the owners no longer want to see them in their home. This form of refusal is now quite rare.
Matchmakers are not provided if the parents of the bride and groom decided to marry them when the children were very young. But the custom is becoming a thing of the past.
If the conspiracy was successful and consent was obtained, the families begin preparations for the wedding and set a day for “fatiha-tuy” and “non-sndirish”, which means the engagement and breaking of the cake. Now these events are combined and held on one day
Matchmaking and traditional engagement in Uzbekistan – Fatiha tui
Matchmakers, relatives of the groom and respected people of the community come to the bride’s house, where the tables are already set. They bring money, food, and sweets to the future mother-in-law, and gifts, gold jewelry, perfumes, and clothes to the future wife.
The most respected and successful of those present break the cake and give one part to the bride’s relatives, the other to the groom’s family, as a sign of final consent to marriage and family kinship. Flatbreads and sweets are traditionally distributed among relatives and neighbors. The matchmakers exchange gifts, and after the groom's relatives and matchmakers leave, the bride's family follows them with a basket of food and wedding clothes for the future son-in-law.
On the day of matchmaking, the size of the bride price and dowry are discussed, the wedding day is set and issues of its holding are discussed.
Ertalabki osh – bachelor party in Uzbekistan
The bachelor party is held on the wedding day and is hosted by the bride's father. Only men are present. Colleagues, friends, relatives, neighbors and just acquaintances are invited. Men from the groom's side are required to be present. The groom's side also bears the costs.
The pilaf is prepared all night. Even cutting carrots for festive pilaf is an Uzbek ritual. Those invited come for the treat immediately after morning prayer at 5-6 am. Refusing an invitation is considered an insult to the family. Now in cities, Ertalabki osh events are more often held in restaurants, but if you have your own home, then the celebration is traditionally organized in the courtyard. The number of invitees can reach up to 200 people. Especially respected guests are given gifts from the groom's side, usually national robes.
Ertolabki Osh means a lot for the status of the Uzbek family. The more people come to the morning pilaf, the more respected the head of the family is considered.
After the morning pilaf, the groom goes to the house of his future wife.
Kiz osh - bachelorette party in Uzbek
It is held a few days before the wedding. The mother of the bride sets the table with lots of sweets. Only women are invited to the celebration - family relatives, friends of the bride, acquaintances and colleagues. At the holiday, respected women of the family receive gifts.
Today, of the Uzbek families surveyed, more than half are ready to give up holding bachelorette parties.
Bride ransom
It is a mandatory part of the wedding. It is carried out in two steps. First, gifts and money are given to the bride's family on the day of Fatha Tui (considered the wedding rehearsal) on the wedding day itself, when the groom comes to his future wife before the wedding.
The size of the bride price depends on the location of the wedding and the girl’s level of education. The higher it is, the lower the ransom amount. The most expensive Uzbek brides were residents of the Khorezm region and Karakalpakstan.
