Ethnic Wedding Ceremonies & Celebrations
Including your ethnic traditions in your weddings
and celebrations is a growing trend. Worldwide the countries are
all becoming multi-cultural, so we share segments of population’s
traditions and foods in marriage.
There are increasing services available plus a multitude of caterers
and restaurants flourishing throughout the nation who can provide satisfying
support to menus and plans. The book scene offers creative cookbooks
plus wedding and party-planning advice.
Enriching your knowledge of the cultural background, learning words
of greetings and thank-you are very important. By reading a book, internet
exploration for information and asking your intended what should be
involved from each others background is necessary. Often there is a
family expert, event coordinator or caterer who will help expand your
knowledge.
Wedding Celebrations traditions may be included with:
• Shower or wedding gifts relating to the
cultural background(s)
• Traditional women’s gatherings prior
to the event or decorating the bride
• Clothing chosen specific to the ethnic
garb
• Men’s rituals surrounding the preparation
of the groom
• Religious preparations with readings,
music and ceremonies
• Foods, beverages and decor chosen.
The following are examples of traditions and components of several
ethnic weddings.
African/African-American and Caribbean has its own
unique ritual for the various regions or religions. Depending on where
they are from, the bride’s
garb will represent the area with exciting colors and meaningful
designs. The marriage ceremony costume in Ghana is called a Kente
and in Nigeria a
Aso-oke. The groom will be in a Hebsa tunic to coordinate with his
bride.
The brides wear their hair in braids with ornaments on their wrists
and necks bejeweled or covered in cowrie shells is a significant favorite
used in the bridal attire. Use of the shell design in favors, food
serving, cakes and decoration or table centerpieces express the tradition.
A gift to the brides family is given by the groom to thank them for
his taking the bride from the family.
The American Negro slaves were not given the legal rights to marry,
so the broom jumping ritual became popular for the ceremony. A colored
ribbon (representing God) is tied on the broom and the couple jumps
over together on the count of three.
Chinese
The modernization of the culture finds the bride adopting
red (the color of happiness, love and wealth into the wedding with
flowers, décor, food and display.
If you enjoy shopping for gowns, this culture embraces the purchase
of three dresses for the bride. A traditional red dress is worn for
the tea ceremony, an ornate traditional dress for the ceremony and
a white dress for the reception.
Native American Indians
Both the Cherokee and the Pueblo Indians use a special double-sided
pottery wedding vase containing a sweet corn liquid which is sipped
in turn as the ceremony moves the couple in directions from north to
south and east to west, giving their blessings to all the earth.
The Aztec Indian mothers in the tribe arrange
the selection and marriage of a couple. During a fireside ceremony,
the couple is given new garments made by their individual mothers
and they come forward to tie these clothes together as a symbol of
the couple’s unity.
Mexican and Hispanic/Latino Cultures
In Mexico the groom pays for the wedding and
in the U.S. the bride’s
family pays for the wedding. A favored custom is that of the groom
presenting 13 gold coins blessed by the priest prior to the nuptials
and brought to his bride by the parents or Godparents during the ceremony.
They represent his promise of future care and support. Another interesting
ritual is a large rosary (lassos) is wrapped in a figure eight around
the couple’s shoulders or hands during the ceremony.
Brass and guitar music played outside the church
prior to the ceremony and as the couple leave is an expression of
celebration. Filipino’s
tie or pin a piece of cloth or veil to the bride’s head and to
the groom’s shoulder. This signifies unity.
India
The women of this culture have a high appreciation of embroidered
silks and use gold to accent exciting designs in their saris. Much
like a dowery, the family presents several saris to the bride and she
chooses her own to wear on the wedding day.
The wedding is traditionally a large event with several smaller ceremonial
events leading up to the nuptials. Often a thousand members of the
family and friends arrive for this, and stay for a week for the festivities.
A unique pre-wedding party is for the women as they dance, sing and
paint elaborate henna designs on the bride. It is called a Mehendi.
This is a shared custom between the Hindu, Sikh and Muslims.
During the ceremony an offering of rice, coconut, sugar
and tropical fruit is made to God. A small fire is created, and if
outdoors, an arbor of marigolds and flowers is completed for the couple
plus the officiate, (priest) to be under. Specific words are revealed
to include Dharma - right of conduct, Artha - prosperity and Karma
- legitimate gratifications. The parents and honored family wear white
flower garlands to convey who they are. The reception is filled with
dance and performances of the bangra.
Japanese
The Shinto wedding is often performed within a shrine where only family
members may attend. The Kimono and an ornate wig is the traditional
garb for the bride who may later change up to five times during the
wedding day. Kimonos are often handed down from five or more generations.
The groom wears a haori and hakama. The traditions and religious readings
given by the officiant (Nakado) are very important to the couple.
The Sake (rice wine) ceremony called San-San-Kudo begins with three
sips of wine taken by the couple. The first sip represents three couples:
new bride and groom and both sets of parents.
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