Uzbek wedding: customs and traditions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Uzbek wedding is a celebration with certain traditions and customs that are passed down from generation to generation. Young people, before entering into marriage, must perform a series of rites to purify the body and soul. In each region of Uzbekistan, traditions differ from each other. In the article, we will talk about historically established customs, without which not a single celebration takes place.

Matchmaking

Uzbek weddings are not done in haste. Preparing for it takes a lot of time and effort.

If a son grows up in a family, parents are looking for a bride for him in advance. For these purposes, close relatives are often involved, whose task is to get the necessary information about the girl.

After the offspring turns 18, the candidacy must already be selected and approved by the family council.

The bridegroom is sent to the bride (mother and the closest relative of the groom). They prepare traditional sweet treats and wrap them in white cloth.

Arriving at the bride's house, they give her bundlesparents with the words: "We want to get married." Guests are invited to the table, where the next meeting of matchmakers is discussed. As a rule, it happens next Wednesday (the day of new beginnings for Muslims).

Four men join the women for the next visit. They sit down at the festive table, discuss the details of the upcoming celebration, negotiate the dowry and other points. Next, each matchmaker is given a white bundle. Sweet goodies and a white shirt (a symbol of the girl's innocence) are wrapped in it.

If parents are ready to marry their daughter, her handkerchief is placed in one of the bundles. After that, the day of the engagement is set.

Uzbek wedding customs are rooted in the past. Modern couples in love can bring their own changes to them. For example, newlyweds can know each other before the celebration, walk and meet. But without the consent of the parents, marriage will not work.

Engagement day

After the girl's parents have given their consent to the wedding, the engagement day (Fotikha tui) comes. The celebration takes place in the bride's house. Pilaf and sweet dishes are put on the table to make life easy for the young.

Relatives of the newlyweds, neighbors, close friends come to the engagement. Fotikha tui turns into a real festivity. In the middle of the evening, the bride must perform the Non Sindirar ceremony. She breaks her own baked cake in front of everyone. This means that the girl submits and accepts her husband. After that, the couple is officially engaged.

Wedding

On the wedding day, parentsbrides hire a professional chef who cooks delicious pilaf. In the morning all men are invited to Nahor Oshi. The meal of eating the morning pilaf is accompanied by musical accompaniment of folk ensembles.

Khotin oshi is held for women. This event can take place in a cafe, girls eat sweetened pilaf and discuss the upcoming wedding.

By the middle of the day, the groom, accompanied by relatives and friends, arrives at the bride's house. The girl puts on a wedding dress, always covers her face with a veil so that she is not jinxed. The ransom ceremony begins, in which the bride's aunts participate.

Next, the mullah is invited to the house. The groom puts on a traditional Uzbek outfit, the wedding ceremony is performed. After that, it is considered that the marriage has already been made in heaven.

Uzbek wedding should be officially registered in the registry office, where the young people go.

Farewell to the parental home

After the registry office, the newlyweds return to the bride's house again. Their parents are already there waiting for them. A farewell ceremony is held with the daughter. Mom is crying, but at the same time she is happy for her blood, predicting her a happy family life.

Groom's friends are loading the girl's dowry onto the cart. As a rule, these are towels, bed linen, kitchen utensils and other things that are useful in the household.

Celebration at the restaurant

Next, the newlyweds go to the ordered restaurant or cafe, where the tables are already set. This is where the fun begins. It is worth noting,that earlier, according to tradition, all relatives were present at the celebration, except for the father of the bride. He spent this time at his house with friends. But in the modern world, this custom is not taken into account.

Zest at the wedding - Uzbek dances. They are so bright and incendiary that they do not leave anyone indifferent. Newlyweds often dance. To do this, they think over the number in advance, change into national costumes.

Parents can surprise their children by inviting a dance group as guests to entertain the guests throughout the evening.

End of the holiday

Uzbek wedding should be completed in compliance with all traditions. After the restaurant, the newlyweds go to the groom's house. Before entering there, the bride makes several circles around the fire. Thus, she is cleansed before the wedding night.

Further, her friends sing songs, play the tambourine, glorifying the girl and wishing her happiness in family life. The bride bows to her new home and walks across a white tablecloth specially laid out for her.

A close friend of the bride (Yanga) begins to prepare her for the wedding night, undresses, combs her hair, sends her behind a special curtain. During this time, the groom should not be in the room.

To redeem the bride, he offers Yanga sweets and money. After the ceremony is completed, the newlyweds are left alone.

Uzbek wedding in a kishlak (village point), where everyone knows each other, lasts more than one day. Festivities become popular. Typically a restaurantordered immediately for 2-3 days. Chefs prepare delicious dishes, folk groups are invited to entertain guests.