Thursday, November 11, 2010

moroccan wedding ceremony


Every culture treasures the wedding ceremony in some way. Traditions and ceremonies differ in each land and Morocco is no exception. Read on to learn more about a few Moroccan wedding traditions.
The traditional Moroccan wedding has quite an elaborate and meaningful process. The wedding process can take up to seven days and there are many pre-wedding ceremonies that take place before the actual wedding.
Morocco is a place with a very rich cultural heritage and active traditions and many of these can be seen at Moroccan wedding ceremonies. Usually the entire affair is quite expensive. It starts with the paying of a dowry that is spent on household items and furniture for the bride. If the grooms parents are very wealthy, they will pay for these items themselves. The bride also receives golden jewelry and is sent presents of cloth, clothing and perfume from her groom every feast day. The courtship period can last from six months to two years.
Once a date has been set for the wedding, the real preparations begin. Five days before the matrimonial event, necessities such as a mattress and blanket are taken to the bridal chamber. There the bride is given a bath in hammam which is a sort of milk bath that is meant to purify the bride. Her negaffa (female attendants) will usually supervise the event. The negaffa - who are usually older married woman, female friends and relatives - then set about trying to beautify her. After dressing her in an elaborately decorated wedding Caftan they proceed to decorate her with heavy jewelry and darken her eyes with kohl which looks a bit like thick dark eyeliner.
The group then proceeds to have a beberiska ceremony in which the hands and feet of the bride and her party are painted with henna. The bride's designs are always the most intricate and the various floral and geometric designs are meant to ward off evil spirits, bring good luck and increase fertility. The grooms name is often hidden in the henna designs. The negaffa will usually take this opportunity to discuss the 'secrets' of marriage with the young virgin. In some ceremonies the bride will then be placed behind a curtain to symbolize her change of lifestyle. In more remote areas, this ceremony would only take place the day before the wedding. Often, a bride is not expected to do any house work until her henna has faded.
Once all this preparation is complete, food is prepared in excess to cater for unexpected guests and the festivities begin. In times past, the men and woman would celebrate these festivities at separate locations. At some point in the evening, the groom would leave to make his way towards the bridal party accompanied by a group of friends who sing, beat drums and dance. The bride would be lifted up on a circular cushion or table and the groom on the shoulders of his friends. The two would then be carried to the bridal chamber where they would be expected to consummate their marriage. The bridal party would then examine their sheets for signs of blood to confirm the bride's virginity. The two would journey to their new home and the bride would circle her home three times before becoming the keeper of her new hearth.
Today things have changed somewhat. Although the hamman bath is still used quite often in more rural areas, it is sometimes completely overlooked in the cities and towns. And though young brides are still quite happy to don their ceremonial Caftans, these are now more often shop bought because modern machinery has caused hand-made caftans to be considered an expensive rarity. Many women who consider themselves to be more 'modern' have also rejected the intricate henna designs that usually adorn the bride.
The food is now more often provided by caterers instead of family members. Most young people have begun to choose their own marriage partners and ask for their parent's blessing on the arrangement. In the past, a marriage partner was always chosen for them. The celebrations still take place at different locations for the men and woman. Often, someone is employed to paint the hands of guests with henna. Music at these occasions can be traditional Berber, Andalusian or Arabian, or they can be popular modern tunes played on traditional instruments. The young groom is accompanied by singing, dancing friends although usually, there are a few car hooters to add to the din. Nowadays, instead of immediately consummating their marriage at this point, the two parties more often join together. Throughout the party, the bride changes several times. In addition to the white wedding dress, her repertoire usually includes several beautiful Caftans with the beautiful colour-coded jewellery that compliments it, and the tradition wedding costume for her region. The wedding party usually lasts all night, while the bride and groom rotate between sitting on the traditional Moroccan dancing, and the traditional treats that keep being passed around. By the morning, guests are usually quite ready for their beds, and the bride and groom are seen off with great noise and celebration, much to the delight of sleeping neighbours.
The festivities do not end here. Throughout the week, the newly weds will visit friends and relatives as well as show off their new home and gifts. To this day, marriage is generally thought of as being the most important decision that both the man and woman can make. Because of this, the whole affair is expensive and elaborate.
throne, changing clothes, being paraded around on their tables, and a little dancing. The guests enjoy a night full of
Moroccan wedding PART I/IV mariage marocain 2010 - moroccan marriage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8lolUyJtEs

Moroccan wedding PART II/IV - mariage marocain 2010 - moroccan marriage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiuXQDm1RdQ&feature=related

Moroccan wedding PART III/IV- mariage marocain 2010 - moroccan marriage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYpATmkdOpE&feature=related

Moroccan wedding PART IV/IV - mariage marocain 2010 - moroccan marriage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoY9A5Ld7zE&feature=related

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