Caucasian wedding: features of the traditions of the peoples of the Caucasus

The Caucasus is a truly unusual and unique place. Here you will meet people of different nationalities who are united by the culture and traditions of their homeland. One of these is holding Caucasian weddings. It’s not for nothing that they say that this corner of Russia has the most beautiful and exciting celebrations. The Caucasian people are considered one of the most hospitable, so during the holidays there are always a large number of people who are happy to “walk” at the event. In most cases, the wedding celebration lasts for several days in a row, and all the guests tirelessly congratulate the newlyweds. The celebration of the union of two hearts in the Caucasus is accompanied by fiery dances and a luxurious feast.

Traditions at Caucasian weddings

Caucasian peoples usually have two weddings. First the bride's wedding, then the groom's wedding. The wedding takes place in the girl’s home and (among some peoples) only women attend. On this day, the groom comes for the bride with gifts - he gives her gold jewelry, clothes, shoes and other things. Among Armenians, the groom's side prepares gift baskets in advance, with which he goes to the bride. And the bride’s side, having received these baskets, also gives small gifts and souvenirs in return.

When the groom leaves her house with the bride, the groom's brother pays a symbolic ransom to the girl's parents. Then the wedding begins at the groom's house. Both men and women are already present here. There are traditions that must be observed upon arrival of the newlyweds:

• When the future wife enters the courtyard of the groom's house, it is customary to throw candy or money at her feet.
• at the entrance to the house, a ram (lamb) is slaughtered and its blood is spilled at the bride’s feet. Some peoples smear his blood on the bride's forehead.
• Also, before entering the house, the girl must break two lying plates with her foot - to drive out evil. And step on the threshold with your right foot so that her life can be correct.
• among Lezgins, the mother and sister of the groom meet the bride on the threshold of the house with honey. She must taste the honey or (among other nations) treat the groom's relatives with it.
• It is customary among the Yazidis to decorate the tree with ribbons and apples so that the newlyweds are fertile. The groom must pick a red apple from this tree and hit the bride in the head so that she gives birth to a child as healthy as this apple.

All Caucasian peoples have a mandatory tradition - the dance of the bride and groom. And always accompanied by national music. In some weddings, this is the only dance that the newlyweds dance.

Of course, under the influence of modernity, many old traditions of Caucasian weddings are changing or completely becoming a thing of the past. The saturation of a wedding with national elements now directly depends on the region of residence. In villages, weddings in traditional national style are more common than in cities. And in the cities, newlyweds try to diversify their wedding by introducing new elements into it.

Traditions and customs

The peculiarity of Caucasian weddings is precisely in observing the old rules. One of these is that the bride and groom do not see each other during the celebration. Each of them celebrates separately in the company of their relatives and friends. Only at the end of the wedding do the newlyweds meet. Now this custom has lost its relevance; its meaning is to distinguish between the society of women and men.

The first appearance of the bride in the groom's house should be solemn. Since ancient times, a girl covered her face with a scarf to protect herself from the evil eye. You must enter the house with your right foot, and lay a sheep's skin near the door. If these rules are not followed, then the newlyweds will not be able to count on a long and happy family life.

The hug tradition is the cutest. Before the first wedding night, the bride must hug all family members, touching a small child is especially appreciated, this is considered a good omen.

A beautiful Caucasian wedding is such due to the custom of giving gifts, among other things. The families of the bride and groom exchange gifts to show their affection. Girls often give something made with their own hands, and guys, in turn, give jewelry.

Newlyweds' cortege

Many guests are invited to the celebration dedicated to the merging of two hearts. This means that the tuple must also match. Often it includes several dozen machines. Car riding is quite noisy and fun. All cars honk, notifying everyone around about the joyful event. Young Caucasians are very impulsive, so sometimes you can hear gunshots. The guys shoot in the air, confirming the news of the upcoming celebration.

Traditionally, one of the cars carries carpets that are laid under the bride’s feet so that she does not touch the ground. This custom is not always observed, but it does occur.

Festive feast

The celebration continues in a cafe or restaurant, where everything is ready for the arrival of the newlyweds. The decoration of the hall, tables and menu are usually chosen in advance.

This is a separate topic worthy of a huge post. Now we are talking about the traditions of the wedding feast.

Congratulations

The whole holiday is organized in such a way that special attention is paid to congratulations: everyone will have time to congratulate! Usually the parents are the first to congratulate, they are given the floor, and they seem to bless the children for marriage. Then relatives congratulate: first on one side, then on the other, and then friends

Often the bride prepares a special box in advance, in which she places envelopes with money so that they do not get lost

Afterwards, relatives congratulate: first on one side, then on the other, and then friends. Often, the bride prepares a special box in advance, in which she places envelopes with money so that they do not get lost.

Dancing

After the guests have eaten, the dancing begins. But here, too, traditions cannot be avoided. The first dance of the bride and groom is obligatory. Recently, it has become fashionable to prepare this dance in advance, to make it unusual, brides change their dress for the dance, grooms can also change clothes. Of course, such dances are remembered by guests.

Another dance, without which it is difficult to imagine a Russian wedding, is the dance of the bride and her father. With this dance, the father seems to be escorting his daughter to another family, saying goodbye to her. This touching dance reminds that a completely new time is coming in the bride’s life.

Family hearth

An ancient tradition that is still popular today. How to spend a family hearth?

1. Organizers and assistants hand out small candles to guests.
2. Guests stand in a circle and light candles.
3. The lights in the hall turn off.
4. To the accompaniment of slow music, the presenter tells a parable about a family hearth.
5. Parents light their candles and approach the young people.
6. A new candle flame is created for the newlyweds - a family hearth.

Ritual of removing the veil

According to tradition, at the end of the holiday, the mother-in-law or mother of the bride removes the veil. At first, the bride should not agree, only the third time does the mother manage to persuade her to remove the veil.

After the veil is removed, the groom undoes the bride's braids. During the ceremony, the leader usually explains what is happening and tells the story of the ceremony. This wedding moment always turns out to be very touching.

Matchmaking in the Caucasus

The centuries-old traditions of the Caucasus assumed arranged marriages, and children were arranged at an early age, sometimes even in the cradle. The choice of a future bride for a boy fell entirely on the shoulders of parents and older relatives. Often the bride and groom did not see each other until their wedding night. The suitable girl was selected very carefully, according to a number of parameters:

• relationships between families, clans;
• the absence of blood feuds and insoluble conflicts that could drag on for many generations;
• the social status of both families: a girl from a rich, noble family will not be given to a groom from a poor family, the same applies to the misalliance of a wealthy young man with a girl without a dowry;
• the health of the future bride, the ability to bear and give birth to strong, numerous children;
• impeccable upbringing, availability of necessary life skills, respect for elders. The girl's external attractiveness was also taken into account.

Today, the custom of arranged marriages is very rarely observed. As a rule, young people find their match on their own, trying to marry for love. However, the blessings of older relatives, parents, and guardians are still crucial. It is rare that a marriage takes place without family approval.

Matchmaking in the Caucasus took place in several stages. This interesting custom, full of hidden meaning, is still observed today.

• When the arranged girl came of age, an envoy from the family of the future groom came to her parents' house. The older relatives agreed on what day to expect the matchmakers' visit.
• At the appointed time, matchmakers rode out on horseback from the house of the groom's parents. As a rule, they became respectable members of the family and society. They chose one of the older men of the clan, a person who belonged to the families that were going to become related, and a respected elder of the village.
• The matchmakers were greeted with kind words, seated at a table with refreshments, and engaged in an abstract conversation. At the end of the feast, representatives of the horseman asked the girl’s hand in marriage in traditional words. However, they did not receive consent on the first visit. The father or older relative took a break in order to consult with relatives and the girl herself, even if the young people had been talked into it since childhood.
• The second stage of matchmaking was more ambitious. The matchmakers were greeted cordially with plentiful treats. On both sides, the number of participants increased, other relatives joined. At the end of the feast, the matchmakers asked what decision the family made. The bride's father/guardian agreed to the marriage this time. In rare cases, a refusal followed with explanations of the reasons.
• Next, the families agreed on the date of the wedding. They agreed on who would take care of the organizational issues, preparing food, and expenses. The number of guests was confirmed.

Usually the bride was matched in the spring. Throughout the summer, families prepared for wedding celebrations, and in the fall, when the harvest was harvested, they held a wedding. Today there are no such strict frameworks; weddings are held mainly in the summer.

Dagestan wedding scenario: main stages

A Dagestan wedding consists of several important stages, each of which has its own unique traditions, customs and rituals.

Engagement

A wedding in Dagestan begins with an engagement or betrothal, which takes place in a standard way for many nations: matchmakers from the groom’s side come to the bride’s house and present the girl with gifts. The parents of the bride and groom choose the wedding date, excluding the birthdays of the newlyweds and parents, Muslim holidays, in particular the days of Eid al-Adha. A distinctive feature of engagement in Dagestan is that it is carried out almost secretly, in the evening and in a narrow circle of relatives.

When the date is chosen, the newlyweds go to the registry office to submit an application. Intensive preparations for a beautiful Dagestan wedding begin: choosing wedding dresses and a banquet hall, coordinating a menu, etc.

First wedding day at the bride's house

According to the traditions of the Dagestan wedding, the celebration itself begins in the bride’s house, where female representatives usually gather. They sing wedding songs, “mourning” the departure of the bride to the groom’s house (the same thing can be found among the rituals at a Kazakh wedding). On this day the bride says goodbye to her parents' home and her former life.

At the height of the holiday, the groom arrives at the bride’s house with expensive gifts: jewelry, textiles, carpets, etc. He is accompanied by a large number of relatives, singing ritual songs and bringing gifts to the bride, which they subsequently put in a special wedding chest.

Second wedding day at the groom's house

The biggest celebration takes place at the groom's house a week after the first wedding day. It begins with the groom's father going to the bride's house for lunch, taking with him a candle and a mirror. He gives them to the bride as a symbol of happiness for the newly-made family and pays her relatives a symbolic ransom.

The bride is dressed in a festive outfit, mesmerizing in its beauty, since Dagestan wedding dresses are usually the most expensive in the world due to the amount of jewelry used to decorate them. Previously, the bride's hair was hidden under a scarf, but now this is rarely done. Modern Dagestan wedding hairstyles are distinguished by intricate shapes and various weaves, which makes them look like real works of hairdressing art.

The mother and bridesmaids take the bride out into the yard, having previously covered her face with a special cape, after which she, along with the groom's father and his relatives, goes to her new home.

The wedding procession is accompanied by songs and national music. Along the way, acquaintances and random passers-by may block their way, demanding gifts. On the threshold of the groom's house, the bride is treated to honey so that the newlyweds' life will be sweet. An unusual wedding tradition at a Dagestan wedding is the shooting of the groom's friends, which is supposed to bring happiness to the newlyweds' home and scare away evil spirits.

A noisy celebration begins at the groom's house! A special feature of a Dagestan wedding is that men and women are seated at different tables. The latter are simply bursting with a huge number of national dishes.

The main event of the wedding evening is the dance of the newlyweds. Before it, the bride must dance with the men present at the celebration: she spins around each of them, and the men perform lezginka and present the bride with money, which the bridesmaid collects.

And during the entire celebration at a Dagestan wedding, the most common entertainment for guests is national dances (in particular, Lezginka), which, according to the scenario of a classic Dagestan wedding, are started by a special person, after which all the men go out onto the dance floor. Women can go out to dance only after the groom's sister has performed the dance.

Post-wedding chores

On the morning of the 3rd day of the wedding, the bride’s headscarf is removed, guests come to congratulate the newlyweds on their marriage and treat themselves to sweets from the bride’s chest. At the end of the multi-day celebration, both families present each other with valuable things.

The portal www.svadebka.ws told you how interesting and fun a Dagestan wedding can be. Such a grand celebration will give a billion positive emotions and impressions not only to the newlyweds, but also to all the guests present!

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Young brides without grooms: the harsh truth of Caucasian weddings

Weddings in the Caucasus are celebrated in a special way. In style, the celebration usually lasts several days. But that is not all. Brides are often under 18 years old, and it is difficult to envy her fate and position at the celebration...

Chechen wedding

Many will probably remember the scandal two years ago. The 47-year-old head of the police department, Nazhud Guchigov, married a 17-year-old girl.

The public was outraged by the age difference between the “newlyweds.” It was impossible to look at the girl Louise. The photographs show her sad, as if she were not at a wedding, but at a funeral.

It turns out that this is Guchigov’s second wife. He has been married to his first wife for more than 20 years. But this is a different marriage, as the Chechens believe. It was concluded by an imam, and the first wife is a Muslim wife for him, and this marriage is much higher in rank than the one concluded in the registry office.

The head of the police department with his older wife and son. A photo from my son's social networks.

Two wives of Guchigov on the same square. Strange? Very. But let's learn more about Chechen traditions.

By law, the age of marriage in some regions can be lowered to 16 years, and in special cases to 14. In Chechnya this is welcome, and young brides who have barely finished school are not uncommon here.

If young people meet before marriage, then they have no right to approach each other. It is advisable to communicate through intermediaries, and communication should be conducted on the topic of living together and the future of the household. Intimate relationships are out of the question.

At the wedding itself, the bride, rather, plays the role of a doll. She stands in a corner of honor, covered with a veil. She is not allowed to smile, look around, talk, much less dance. She stands quietly and bows her head.

The bride cannot leave her place without permission. Sometimes she even stands behind a curtain, which is opened slightly if guests ask to see the hero of the occasion. The bride can talk to young girls, but the older ones must answer either “yes” or “no.” But it is best to remain silent altogether.

The bride can eat only when the elders allow, but only somewhere in a corner so that no one catches her eating.

In the Caucasus, it is the elderly who are dear guests at weddings. The bride spends this day with them in one room, and the groom and his friends in another. It happens that the newlyweds don’t even see each other for the whole day.

Only her sisters are present at the wedding from the bride's relatives. The rest of the relatives “say goodbye” to the girl when she is taken from her parents’ house.

Guests also cannot do as they please at the wedding. For example, only one couple can dance at a time. In dance, a man and a woman cannot approach each other and dance at arm's length. No acrobatic movements, no twisting.

Shooting at weddings is also prohibited. However, many violate this ban and claim that in this way they honor traditions. But if we look at history, firing weapons has never been a tradition in the Caucasus. Instead they beat the drum.

Wedding in Karachay-Cherkessia

And here girls are married off early, especially if the groom is a worthy and profitable match.

In this republic, the bride price is paid twice. Before the wedding and during the celebration, to increase the value of the wife in the eyes of her husband. Moreover, these are rather large amounts - from 150 thousand rubles (data for 2012). Therefore, the groom and his relatives often borrow this money.

The wedding lasts three days. The main celebration takes place on the last day. The bride also stands in her corner, but she can eat and drink unnoticed. Older relatives of related families try not to meet before the wedding. The wedding night falls on the third day.

The bride is covered with different shawls and taken to the center of the hall. Then the girls and boys dance around her and, as they dance, tear off one shawl at a time, thereby gradually revealing the bride’s face.

It is impossible not to mention the wedding cortege, without which the celebration in Karachay-Cherkessia will not take place. To make everything expensive and rich, it is decorated... with carpets!

The most luxurious carpet adorns the bride and groom's car. The carpets then go into the possession of the car owners.

Ossetian wedding

The tables at an Ossetian wedding are literally bursting with various dishes. But, if you are not from the Caucasus, a wedding may seem incredibly boring and monotonous to you. The elders make endless toasts and spend hours giving parting words to the younger ones.

The bride and groom also do not see each other and celebrate the celebration in different rooms.

Traditionally, the bride stands in the corner under a veil. She can’t go to the toilet, so the girl tries not to drink at all. Women look under her veil and “spit” in her face. Of course, not for real. The symbolic spitting is believed to protect young people from the evil eye. But, you see, this is not very pleasant. Only in the evening the ceremony of “unveiling” the bride’s face takes place.

Only after this can the bride go into the room and sit down. But not for long. Guests begin to come to her with congratulations. She must take them standing. The bride usually finds out how much fun she had at her own wedding the next day.

The bride must remain silent in the presence of elders. And only when her husband’s relatives present her with a “gift” can she speak. This is a sign that she has been accepted into the family. And although this tradition is gradually becoming a thing of the past, the elders insist on preserving it.

Georgian wedding

Recently, weddings in Georgia have taken on a more modern look. The bride and groom celebrate the occasion together, and the wedding itself can last a week. These days everyone goes to visit each other.

After the wedding, the newlyweds walk under daggers raised above their heads. It is believed that in this way they will receive protection from harm.

The tradition of stepping over a ram is still observed.

Child marriage is also common in Georgia. Sometimes 15-year-old girls are taken from their families. Moreover, newlyweds manage to circumvent the laws by not registering their marriage for the time being.

Many girls do not have proper sex education and do not know how the wedding night usually ends.

Azerbaijani wedding

If earlier parents themselves looked for a match for their children, now the young people themselves build their own destiny, but with one condition...

If the chosen one or chosen one is not approved by the relatives, then there will be no wedding. But some families continue to look for husbands and wives for their children. Moreover, children do not have the right to disobey.

While still at school, a girl can know who her husband will be. The future husband's relatives, as if by chance, begin to drop by to visit the future daughter-in-law.

If earlier two weddings were celebrated - a man's and a woman's, now they have moved away from this tradition. In Azerbaijan they prefer to celebrate one magnificent wedding.

If the newlyweds live with their husband’s parents, then in the first few days the newly-made daughter-in-law cannot show herself to her father-in-law. After a week or two, she must prepare the first dinner, at which her father-in-law gives her a valuable gift, thereby inviting her to become a member of the family.

Source: marketium.ru

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Matchmaking

Matchmaking is an essential part of wedding preparations. Previously, all issues in this regard were dealt with by parents, that is, they were the ones who decided the fate of their children. At the age of 12, the girl already knew who she would marry. Of course, a lot depended on the status of the clan; families were not selected at random; marriage should be of equal value. Nowadays, this is considered a relic of the past, as young people themselves choose their brides.

The tradition of matchmaking has been preserved, but not in its entirety. First, a date is set, the groom's first visit to the bride. He comes with his male relatives to visit with the intention of getting married. In turn, the bride's parents may think for a while before giving an answer. If the decision is positive, a date for the second matchmaking is set. It is held solemnly, with laid tables, dancing, etc. At the end of the evening, the father, giving his daughter in marriage, voices a positive decision.

Turkish wedding dresses: luxury and restraint

Turkish dresses look simply amazing, because they have notes of chic and pomp, they are made of expensive high-quality fabrics and look simply gorgeous. It is worth noting that Muslim traditions require the choice of a rather discreet outfit, in which the shoulders and arms, and even the neck, are covered. That is why all the beauty of a dress is concentrated in its decoration, and not in its cut. The skirt and corset are often embroidered with gold threads and decorated with lace and stones. Thanks to this, Turkish wedding dresses look amazing in the photo, since the fabric shimmers beautifully in the rays of the sun and light. Another detail of the national dress is a special scarf that matches the dress, with which the bride covers her head. However, many Turkish brides prefer European traditions, choosing rather open and no less luxurious outfits.

India

In a society built on the principle of caste, there is only hope for reincarnation. For ugly girls, temporary marriage is provided here. But their grooms are not men, but animals. Hindus are sure that girls with defects in appearance are possessed by evil spirits, and the only way to drive them out is to marry the unfortunate woman to a pet (most often a dog or a goat). In East India, not long ago, 18-year-old Mangli was married to a stray dog. After the wedding, she will have to take care of her dumb husband. But a few months later, the village elders dissolve this marriage and promise that the girl will have a real husband. Unusual wedding customs have not spared the men of this country. Here it is not customary to marry a younger brother before the elder does so, so as not to cause trouble. If the elder one does not marry, then he gets a tree as a wife, if only the path to marriage is opened for the younger one. And after the wedding ceremony, the elder brother’s “wife” is mercilessly cut down.

Hands to Feet

Bride's outfit in China

Chinese wedding attire deserves special attention. In China, red is considered a symbol of love and happiness. According to tradition, the bride should be dressed in a red silk robe, decorated with embroidery, beads and pearls. The dress is embroidered with flowers, as well as images of a dragon and a phoenix. These are sacred animals that symbolize man and woman.

Chinese wedding traditions require a special headdress for the girl. This is a large phoenix crown, decorated with beads, traditional medallions, bird feathers and pom poms. But all this beauty, along with the bride’s face, is hidden behind a thick red veil.

Considering the peculiarities of modern weddings, such a headdress is used less and less. Today, Chinese brides can afford to wear a modern dress to their wedding, but many still prefer red dresses, since white is traditionally considered a symbol of mourning.

Married to a native Turk: getting ready for the wedding

If a great and serious love has happened in your life and you are going to marry a Turk, you should carefully prepare for the holiday in order to correctly perceive traditions and family foundations that are unfamiliar to you

It is also worth paying attention to the organization of the holiday itself, taking into account Turkish customs and acceptable notes of European style

Turkish style wedding:

1. Decor. Wedding decoration in Turkish style is significantly different from traditional European style. If you want to decorate your wedding according to your taste and desire, be sure to talk to the groom. Find out what color schemes are accepted at weddings in his country and whether it is possible to organize wedding decor in the style and theme that you like. Make compromises: bring in a few of your own ideas, while leaving a few traditional points that will show your respect for your future spouse's family. After the wedding, you can go on a honeymoon in Turkey, where you can feel like a full-fledged wife and housewife and begin to build your own rules together with your husband.
2. Dress. No one can force you to wear traditional Muslim dress if you belong to another religion. However, try to choose a discreet, classic outfit, after consulting with the groom. Buy a headscarf to show respect for Turkish traditions.
3. Celebration. Russian wedding traditions have nothing in common with Turkish ones, so don’t be surprised if during the celebration the groom’s parents hang a necklace of money on you or throw a handful of coins at you. All this is done to attract wealth to the family. Be cheerful and open, do not be shy to dance with guests, but do not forget about modesty.

On the website Svadebka.ws you learned about some of the features of a Turkish wedding, as well as its customs and traditions, which are very important and valuable in Muslim countries. Be open and sincere - and your celebration in Turkish style will be great!

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Chechen wedding: bride, Come to the corner, quickly!

The groom's brother takes the bride into the house and puts her in the most honorable place - in the corner! Yes, this is where she will spend her most important day in her life.

In order for a son to be born first in the family, a boy is brought to the bride, she takes him in her arms, pats his cheeks, kisses him and lets him go, rewarding him with a gift or money.

The Chechen bride stands with her head down in the corner of the room.

The feast begins, everyone congratulates the groom's parents, wishes for more grandchildren and all sorts of blessings in general. Everyone comes to a Chechen wedding - no invitations. As soon as the bride enters the house, dancing begins.

But here, too, everything is not so simple. The improvised dance floor is divided into two parts: a semicircle for men, a semicircle for women. A couple dances in the center, chosen by a man who takes on the role of “dance toastmaster.”

A Chechen bride stands modestly in a dance circle.

All this time, the bride stands like a statue in the corner: she is not allowed to sit in the presence of her elders. Women come up to her and look under the veil. After some time, the groom's mother raises her veil. Next to the bride is a bridesmaid who is allowed to sit and eat. After some time, she is given a gift and taken home.

National weddings are famous for their traditions, and here the next test for the bride is the ritual of “untying the tongue.” The men approach the girl, bombard her with jokes and ask the bride to bring her water. She must break for a long time and be laconic.

The stingy “enjoy your drink” is the loosening of the tongue. For this, the man must give the bride money, otherwise she may not talk to him for the rest of her days (I must say that such cases do happen). In the end, the girl collects a decent amount of money, which she, as a rule, gives to her mother-in-law.

Wedding fun in Chechnya lasts up to three days.

Bride kidnapping

This is an extremely ancient mountain custom, which neither Russian Cossack weddings nor Ukrainian ones have heard of. Armenian weddings are also not familiar with such a ritual. Civilization has made its contribution to Caucasian rituals - the groom no longer so often kidnaps the bride if he is refused matchmaking. But sometimes this happens. The girl is taken to the house of a horseman in love, now she has no choice but to give consent to the marriage, since otherwise the bride will be forever disgraced for her family: after all, she visited the house of her future husband before the wedding.

Parable at a wedding

Among the toasts and congratulations, a Caucasian wedding parable is often heard. As a rule, it carries deep meaning and life wisdom. For example, a student asked a wise ruler how he managed to maintain peace in his state. He answered the guy that when he is angry, his people are calm, and vice versa. He further explained that the ruler and his people always form one whole. This means that one calms the other and vice versa. The deep meaning of this parable is that a family is very similar to a state. Then it’s worth raising a glass to this method of maintaining peace and tranquility in the new unit of society.

On your marks! Attention! March!

After the bride is ready, the groom's brother goes after her, takes her hand and leads her out of the room. But it was not there! The bride's sister is blocking his way, so he has to pay him off! That's it - the road is clear! The brother takes the bride out of the house, sits in the front seat, and the groom's girlfriend and sister sit in the car with her.

A Chechen bride is taken out of her home.

The motorcade starts moving - and then the racing begins! Each of the numerous cars tries to take a place behind the bride's car. This is both prestigious and profitable - an expensive prize awaits such reckless people in the groom’s house: for example, a carpet or a separate table of honor.

But don’t speed up too much: at any moment, adults or children may block the road, demanding payment for the journey. After all, a Chechen wedding is a holiday for everyone!

The groom's mother meets the bride at the house, helps her get out of the car and gives her a bite of candy or some other sweet, then takes a bite herself. At this moment, shots and even machine gun fire are heard. This kind of recklessness has now turned into real fun.

In fact, initially loud sounds were used to scare away evil spirits from the house, but previously it was enough to fire a couple of shots.

Ossetian wedding dresses

Ossetian wedding attire deserves special mention. It must hide absolutely all parts of the bride’s body, including the arms and neck, as in Muslim traditions for a wedding, and have a headdress with a multi-layered veil. Ossetian wedding dresses are necessarily decorated with hand embroidery and precious stones, which is why the outfit can be quite heavy. All this creates a special image at the wedding, thanks to which the bride in an Ossetian dress looks like a real princess.

Finally, the Svadebka.ws portal has prepared for you a small dictionary of names that you will certainly hear at any Ossetian wedding:

• minavartta - matchmakers,
• fidyd - conspiracy,
• shushagsyd - secret visit,
• kukhylhatsag - senior best man,
• amdzuardzhyn - junior best man,
• Khyzhishan - ritual of removing the veil,
• rasgamtta - bride's wedding dress.

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Features of Armenian weddings

Armenian weddings have absorbed the traditions of all-Caucasian wedding celebrations, but they also have a number of special touches. Most likely, this is due to the fact that the Armenians are an Orthodox nation.

For example, a bride may attend a matchmaking ceremony that ends with the groom putting a ring on her right ring finger.

The future spouse pays the bride price. Such ransom is traditional for many nations. A Ukrainian wedding, like a Russian one, cannot do without it either. These are not cheap gifts and sweets. The groom also prepares the wedding dress for the bride. It is customary to place gifts and clothes in large baskets: they are carried by the groom’s relatives. While the bride is dressing in her wedding attire, relatives and friends of the future husband are dancing in the street - live national music is playing all the time.

Armenian weddings are very long and large-scale. A long feast begins after the wedding in the church. It is customary to give a lot of jewelry to the bride at an Armenian wedding. The newlywed does not eat anything at the festive table. She can dance only at the end of the feast - one traditional national dance.

In Armenia, there is a vivid ritual: the first wedding night ends, and the husband sends his mother-in-law a basket of red apples, symbolizing the purity of the chosen one.

Nowadays, some of the details that interest Caucasian weddings have changed. But even now, preparations for the Caucasian and Armenian wedding, and the celebration itself, are taking place on an unprecedented scale, because what could be more important than the marriage of a son or the marriage of a daughter.

Wedding ceremony

After the ransom, traditionally the couple, followed by the guests, go to the registry office, where the marriage is officially registered. The newlyweds perform their first dance there, for which they often order live music.

After accepting congratulations from the guests, a small photo session is usually held, first for everyone, and then only for the newlyweds, during which the guests prepare for the bride and groom to leave the registry office.

Guests sprinkle the newlyweds with rice (for the early birth of children), candies (for a sweet life), coins (for wealth) and rose petals (for a beautiful, romantic life together).

Orthodox couples who belong to the church also undergo a wedding ceremony in the church.

Features of a modern wedding

Today, the bride and groom, in most cases, meet on their own. This could be a place of work or study, a holiday held together, for example, a friend’s wedding, or a recommendation from close relatives. Arranged marriages between complete strangers are, fortunately, a thing of the past.

Also, there is no strict time frame between the engagement/betrothal and the wedding. Sometimes a wedding is celebrated immediately if the financial condition of the bride and groom allows the celebration to be organized promptly. And in some cases, young people and their families spend years preparing for the big moment. The wedding may be postponed if the newlyweds need to finish their studies or save enough money for a crowded celebration.

A modern Caucasian wedding begins with a large motorcade of several dozen cars. Cars are decorated in every possible way, they drive loudly, with horns, songs, and shouts, as everyone around them should know about the happy wedding day. Carpet runners must be carried in one of the cars, since the bride should not walk on the ground.

The costumes of the bride and groom have also changed. National outfits gave way to the classic European style.

A Caucasian wedding is always an impressive, memorable event. Despite the trends of modern times, many families observe ancient customs. It is especially common to see traditional marriages in remote villages and auls, where the influence of elders and heads of clans is strong. Being present at such a wedding as a guest gives you an unforgettable, delightful experience that will last a lifetime.

Duration of the event

We have already said that Caucasian celebrations are the longest. On average, a wedding is celebrated for two days, and in the Caucasus – three. And all this time the guests never tire of singing, dancing, and, of course, praising the newlyweds. Relatives and friends toast to the courage and perseverance of the groom, as well as the beauty and submission of the bride. According to ancient tradition, the more fun the celebration was, the stronger the newlyweds’ union will be. Therefore, guests spare no effort and celebrate this wonderful holiday with pleasure.

A person who has not attended such a wedding cannot imagine all the beauty of the traditions of this people. Caucasians have a hot temperament combined with a sense of respect for elders and reverence for customs.

Preparation for the celebration

After the bride’s side agrees, the stage of preparations for the wedding begins. As you know, this is already a lot of trouble, and in the case of the Caucasian holiday there is twice as much trouble. The main part of the costs is borne by the groom's family. A huge number of people are invited to the celebration. For comparison: an ordinary Russian wedding – 50 people, a Caucasian wedding – 300 people. And if all distant relatives and friends come, then the number of guests will exceed 500 people.

The most controversial and attractive tradition is bride kidnapping. Some people consider this a crime, but in the Caucasus region this action is common. The bride is kidnapped in several cases: in case of refusal at matchmaking and a few days before the celebration. In the first case, a guy and a girl prove their love. Caucasian weddings are also famous for the special manifestation of the newlyweds’ feelings. They don’t scream “bitterly” or kiss, but in their gaze and movements you can feel all the power of love that hovers around the bride and groom.

Lezginka at Caucasian weddings

There is no such celebration in this corner of Russia where there will not be an incendiary dance. It’s safe to say that Lezginka plays at every wedding. This dance is considered one of the most beautiful in the world; it adorns every event. The ability to dance is in the blood of Caucasians; they can do it without taking courses or training. The man portrays an eagle, and the woman depicts a gentle swan.

The stunningly beautiful dance is accompanied by loud music and songs. It is worth noting that the bride can only enter the circle after an invitation. The rest of the time she sits at the table, modestly lowering her eyes. The Caucasian incendiary lezginka at a wedding is a decoration of the celebration. Previously, only this kind of music was played at events, but nowadays everything has changed.

Musicians are now invited to the celebration to perform various songs. Therefore, you can hear both popular modern music and Armenian shalaho. But the pearl of the evening was and remains the lezginka. Due to the popularity of dance, there are many schools in Russia that are dedicated to teaching people. Therefore, each of you can go and learn the art of Lezginka.

Caucasian bride

As you know, Eastern culture differs significantly from Western culture. For people living in the Caucasus, the girl is a model of chastity. If this is so, then she immediately receives the respect of others. Otherwise, the girl will be shunned, and it will be more difficult to find a chosen one in such a situation.

The bride at the wedding must behave quietly and modestly; she must not laugh loudly, drink, make noise or have fun. In fact, the girl acts more as a decoration of the celebration than as its culprit. As already noted, kissing newlyweds is unacceptable; it is considered an intimate thing. The question arises: what happens at a Russian-Caucasian wedding? Of course, it all depends on the situation. In most cases, Caucasian tenacity prevails, and the word “bitter” is not shouted at the event.

Caucasian wedding traditions

7-11-2013, 13:31
Culture and traditions of the Caucasian people
The Caucasian people are famous for their traditions, which have a centuries-old history. A lot of things have changed and been simplified, but the rule that a Caucasian gets married once and for all remains unbreakable. He must take care of his family, take care of it, and never allow himself to think that he can leave his beloved woman for another. So it was, is and will be. A Caucasian wedding is a large-scale celebration where wine flows like a river and folk songs are sung. It has long been believed that this is not only a holiday where newlyweds are united by family ties, but a place where other unmarried guests can look for a mate. Caucasian weddings, compared to European ones, are the longest. While our people party for one or two days, in the Caucasus a wedding lasts three whole days. And all this time, the guests praise the courage and courage of the groom, as well as the modesty and obedience of the bride.

In general, the wedding follows the same scenario as in Europe: guests congratulate the newlyweds with luxurious, elegant gifts; there is music and toasts all evening; older relatives give parting words for a happy family life; young handsome men dance folk dances. But, nevertheless, there are also their own characteristics. For example, the bride should not participate in any fun competitions, and jokes about her are unacceptable. Therefore, no one kidnaps the bride and demands a ransom for her, but shout “Bitter!” not accepted at a wedding. Wedding preparation begins with setting a date for the celebration. Usually, the decision is made by the groom's parents, but they always take into account the wishes of the bride's relatives.

The most beautiful and ancient custom is considered to be the abduction of the bride a few days before the wedding. It is performed by the groom, he takes his chosen one to her parents' house, where she is surrounded by all the benefits and honors. This is done so that she does not want to return home. But sometimes they get by without stealing. Then the groom, along with his relatives and friends, must come for the bride. All this testifies to the unity of the clan, strength and prosperity. Next, guests are invited to the wedding. Since the East is a delicate thing, absolutely everyone is invited so as not to offend anyone. Absolutely anyone can come to the celebration, and he will definitely be accepted, but at the same time he must give a unique gift. The 21st century has made its own adjustments to the celebration of the Caucasian holiday. This was directly reflected in the bride’s attire. Nowadays, white dresses have replaced traditional dresses. In general, it is worth noting that a Caucasian wedding is a holiday where you can touch a charming culture and unusual traditions, become a welcome guest, experience warm hospitality and take with you a lot of positive emotions.

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Russian-Caucasian marriages. Love contrary to tradition

Question: Assalamu alaikum brother. Is it permissible to marry Christians and Jews now? Answer: Waalaikum assalaam wa rahmatullahi. Basically, chaste women of infidels from among the People of the Book - Christians and Jews - are permissible for Muslims, and there is no disagreement about this. The proof of this is the Words of Allah Almighty (meaning): “And permissible for you are chaste women from among those who believe and chaste (al-muhsanat) women from among those to whom the Book was given before you” (Al-Maida, 5) However, there is a nuance, which many Muslims do not know - that this permissibility has its own conditions. 1. That this woman should be chaste. And this is stipulated in the verse, and this is how the salaf understood it. Ibn Jarir narrated from Ibn Abbas what he said to the word “Al-Muhsana”, which came in the verse - “That is: modest, reasonable, from among the Muslim women or people of the book” see “At-tafsir”, 8998 And Ibn narrated Jarir from Hasan al-Basri, the Tabiyin, that he was asked: “Is it permissible for a man to marry a woman from the People of the Book?” He replied: “Why does he need the people of the Book when Allah has increased the number of Muslim women so much?! But if he needs to do this, then let him take a modest wife, not a depraved one.” The one who asked him said to him: “What does depraved mean?” He replied: “This is the one who, when a man hinted to her with his eyes, followed him” see “At-Tafsir”, 11289 2. So that her guardian gives permission, and the remaining conditions of nikah are met (mahr, 2 witnesses who adhere to this, etc.) And this is according to the generalized hadith: “There is no nikah except with a guardian” was reported by At-Tirmidhi, 1-203, Ibn Hibban, 1243, Ahmad, 4-394, Abu Dawud, 2085, and others, and the hadith was called authentic by the sheikh Albani, Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and many other scholars Ibn Qudama said: “When a Muslim marries a dhimmiyya, her kafir guardian marries her to him. Abu al-Khattab mentioned this. And this is the word of Abu Hanifa, and Ash-Shafi'i, since he is her guardian, and his giving her in marriage is reliable, just as if he were giving her in marriage to a kafir. And also because this woman must have a suitable guardian for her, and it is not allowed for anyone else to be her guardian!” see Al-Mughni, 14-402 3. The third, and very important condition is that it should be in a place where the Muslim had power over it. And as a rule, this is not achieved except in places governed by the Sharia of Allah. And this is because if a Muslim does not have power over her, he will not be able to stop her from committing haram and shirk, and teaching children to do this, and if he tries to do this, she will take the children from him, according to kafir laws Therefore, scholars from among the Companions, the Tabieen, and those who followed them, forbade taking Christian and Jewish women as wives in lands that are not governed by Sharia and where there is no agreement that would recognize the protection of Muslims over their wives. Ibn Abbas said: “It is not permissible for nikkah to be with the women of the People of the Book if they are from the people of war.” Narrated by Ibn Abi Shayba, 16431, and the transmitters of the message are reliable. Al-Qurtubi al-Maliki said: “It is not permissible for nikah to be with the women of the People of the Book from among the people of war.” ..”, then brought Asar Ibn Abbas, and said: “And Malik condemned the marriage of women of people of war, due to leaving a child in Darul Harb, and her actions related to drinking alcohol and pork” see “Tafsir al-Qurtubi”, 3-69 Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali said: “Imam Ahmad justified the prohibition of this in dar al harb by the fact that it is for the sake of the child, since it is quite possible for him to switch to their religion” see “Al-Mubdi'”, 7-64 Said Codes Iyad al-Maliki: “The strongest reason for this prohibition is his living with her in Darul Harb, where their laws will apply to him” see Al-Mawahib, 5-134 Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to marry women of the Book there , where Sharia law does not apply, and where there is no agreement between kafirs and Muslims that would recognize the supremacy of Muslims over their wives. And it’s no secret that in Europe, or Russia, and other Western countries, a wife just needs to contact the guardianship authorities, or file for divorce, and the child will be given to her and he will grow up following their religion. Therefore, in such conditions it is not allowed to marry Christians and Jews. And in conclusion, we remind Muslims of the words of the Prophet: “Dunya is a short-term pleasure, and the best of its pleasures is a righteous woman.” Muslim, 2668 And the Prophet said: “They marry for four reasons: because of money, because of origin, because beauty, and because of religion, so grab hold of the owner of religion!” narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim We urge you, brothers, not to be fooled by their imaginary beauty, associated with a disfigured shirk and kufr soul, because this beauty will fade, and you will part with it forever after death, as for a righteous Muslim wife, you will with her in Paradise, insha Allah. And there is no need to say that it is not possible to marry a Muslim woman, this is just what the shaitan instigates! And Allah said the truth: “Whoever fears Allah, He gives a way out and provides food from where he does not expect. For one who trusts in Allah, He is sufficient as a Protector” at-Talaq, 2-3 We urge our brothers to fear Allah in their wives and their children. Does passion really turn off the brains, and such brothers do not think at all about the consequences of such a marriage with him and the children? And in conclusion - praise to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

Chechen wedding: hello, how much is the bride?

And the celebration begins from the groom's house. It is here that an honorary delegation gathers, whose mission is to bring the bride to her new home.

The wedding cortege is formed from a very large number of cars, the more the better. The most beautiful wedding car is for the bride. The wisest of the wisest - the old men - set off on the journey, and the groom's sister and the mullah (Muslim priest) always go with them.

This is one of the options for decorating cars at Chechen weddings.

In theory, when the guests arrive, the bride should be sitting in all her glory with her suitcases packed and ready, and the bride’s wedding dress should already be prepared. But, as usual, the girls are late, so the old men gather in a separate room and have leisurely conversations.

When the bride is finally “in parade,” she is ransomed. The amount of dowry is determined by the mullah

The groom's relatives may give more, thereby emphasizing their good intentions and the importance of their relationship to the bride's family. After this, the mullah goes to the bride’s room, where, in the presence of two adult married women, he conducts the “marriage” ceremony.

The next task of the mullah is the same procedure only with the groom, two men act as witnesses, and here it doesn’t matter whether they are married or not. It is advisable to do this before the bride steps into her betrothed’s house

After which the newlyweds are considered married.

Custom associated with two weddings

It is no secret that wedding celebrations in the Caucasus take place over several days and in several houses. As already noted, previously men and women celebrated separately. Today, everything has changed a little; on the wedding day, the newlyweds are together, but the custom of celebrating two events has remained. The celebration is celebrated both in the groom's house and in the bride's territory.

The girl’s side receives guests first, this happens a few days before the wedding. The lyrical evening, which is organized by the girl’s family, is similar to saying goodbye to home and parting with relatives. The event is shrouded in a note of sadness, but this fact does not spoil the overall impression.

All the guests gather at the groom's place immediately after the marriage ceremony. The celebration turns out to be bright, noisy and cheerful. Where would we be without Caucasian dances at weddings? At the event, the groom's friends show off all their skills, leaving the guests in awe.

Caucasian wedding congratulations: what do they wish for the newlyweds? What kind of toast do guests choose?

Of course, the feast occupies a special place among the whole series of rituals. When all the guests are gathered, the bride and groom sit at the head of the table, it is customary to toast and say traditional Caucasian congratulations on the wedding. The most important words and instructions come, first of all, from parents on both sides. Although there is some humor in the wise teachings at such festivities. Parents, as a rule, want the newlyweds to experience the happiness of being together, to have the strength and patience to carry their love through their entire lives and translate it into their own children, to see their grandchildren and to fully understand true wisdom. Older relatives also make toasts of similar content. A special place at the huge table is given to grandparents, and possibly their parents. After all, it is from them that the lineage comes, which will continue in future children.

Toasts

The Caucasian celebration has many distinctive properties, including beautiful toasts. A short speech can contain either an interesting story or just kind words. Caucasian wedding toasts make guests open their mouths in amazement and admiration. In the process of congratulations, it is customary to give a lot of compliments. It is valuable for a girl when her beauty, modesty and thriftiness are praised, and for a guy - strength, intelligence and courage.

Toast is an art. The speech of professionals in this matter is incredibly eloquent, replete with diversity and originality. A person who attends a Caucasian wedding for the first time can prepare and surprise the guests with his congratulations. Now there are many examples of toasts on the Internet, you just need to find the most interesting and beautiful one. With this step you will gain extra respect and also bring positivity to the event.