An Afghan Village Wedding
By Edris Ramez
Afghan village weddings are usually attended by 1000 or more guests. Really?
Afghanistan is a country with a rich culture and traditions, including that for intensive and expensive weddings. Due to these peculiar traditions, Afghans spend huge amounts of money and invite many people (perhaps more people than necessary) to their weddings.
Just look at the numbers: weddings in Afghan cities are commonly attended by 500 to 6000 people, and the number of guests in village weddings is not lower.
A village wedding in Afghanistan takes place in 3 stages: the Nikah stage (a condition for a Muslim marriage), the entertainment and dance stage, and the dining stage. While a wedding can either be held during daytime or in the evening, most people prefer daytime weddings.
The bride and groom are dressed up in specific clothes called “Afghan Wedding Clothes” a day before the wedding, and the Nikah ceremony takes place. Guests are invited from both the sides of bride and groom, and frequently the wedding party is held in two different places for male and female guests due to restrictions that are part of Afghan traditions and beliefs.
The wedding ceremony starts with guests coming to the intended wedding location. And of course, a wedding is not a wedding unless it is accompanied by music and entertainment. Village weddings mostly feature singers and musicians, and sometimes DJs as well. People get the opportunity to meet each other and celebrate this happy event with traditional dances.
At the end of the party, food is offered to the people. People in general and especially kids like to attend weddings to eat. Wedding food consists of delicacies specific to Afghanistan and may include Kabuli Palaw (a famous Afghan rice dish), Du-piyaza (specially cooked beef with onions), vegetables, fruits, and soft drinks. These dishes are prepared by experienced chefs who work hard at the back end of the wedding party. The kids attending weddings are particularly fond of soft drinks served at village weddings.
After the wedding party, the bride is brought to the groom’s house either on an animal such as a horse, camel, donkey or (in more advanced areas) in a car.
Originally posted 2024-03-16 17:56:25.
