Muslim Weddings in Allentown
The festivities
following a Muslim wedding can last for days and include
lavish rituals, dancing, and food. Here are a few customs
to get the party started.
WALIMA
After the wedding contract is signed, the celebration
begins with the walima -- a wedding feast that may last
for two whole days. Fish, chicken, and rice, ancient
symbols of fertility and plenty, are usually served, along
with candy-covered almonds that are considered
aphrodisiacs. (Where did you think Jordan almonds came
from?) Guests often arrive in a procession with gifts to
be displayed during the walima.
IMAM ZAMIN
In India, the groom's mother and her family and friends
present the bride with sweets. If the bride is veiled, she
may show her face (possibly for the first time) to the
groom and his family. Then, the groom's mother ties an
imam zamin -- a gold coin wrapped in silk -- around the
bride's right arm as a wish for the couple's prosperity.
MALA BADOL
After the wedding feast, the ritual of mala badol is
performed in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. A
thin cloth is placed over both bride and groom. They feed
each other and share sips of borhani (a spicy yogurt
drink) beneath the cloth. While looking at their
reflection in a mirror, the bride and groom are asked,
"What do you see?" They each answer with a
romantic declaration such as, "I see the rest of my
life." The newlyweds then exchange flower garlands.
Recently, a new custom of exchanging rings has been added
to the ritual.
THE REGAL BRIDE
After the wedding ceremony, the bride may change into an
elaborate gown adorned with jewels, pearls, and gold.
Toward the end of the reception, she is held aloft like
royalty while friends and family watch. She may be paraded
around for as long as two hours, until her bearers'
strength finally wanes. When she is returned to the
ground, she is placed in the groom's arms, signaling the
end of the party.
SYMBOLIC GESTURES
Congratulating the bride with a kiss is not allowed in
some Muslim weddings (although it is becoming more common
in Western cultures). However, guests at Muslim weddings
congratulate the couple in many other ways. Eggs, which
represent fertility and righteousness in Islam, are often
given to the couple as symbolic gifts. The bride and groom
may be showered with rice, candy, and dried fruit as they
exit the reception. In Indonesia, the groom steps on an
egg to indicate his approval of the marriage. In Morocco,
an egg is broken during the reception because its white
color signifies light and luck for the couple.
--Robin Beth Schaer |
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