In our article we will talk about the Balkarian wedding, about what it is interesting. Traditions and ceremonies of this celebration will be considered. Previously, the issue of marriage was decided by elders and relatives. It was not until the nineteenth century that the initiative usually began to come from the groom. Further, matchmakers were sent to the bride's house (respected old people were chosen). After already sent to the young one of the trusted groom. He talked with the bride, asked her whether she agreed to marriage. Of course, the future bride had to submit to the will of her family.
Ransom for the bride
After the groom paid part of the ransom to the bride's parents. Kalym could be given: things, cattle or money. Part of the ransom was immediately recorded on the wife, if suddenly, through the fault of the future spouse, a divorce occurs.
What happened to the bride?
She was dressed in a white dress, which was considered a symbol of youth and beauty. Then the girl (if she was from his village) was taken to the woman’s house of the groom. In the dowry she was given a horse, a dagger, a belt and a gun. All this presented the father-in-law to the father-in-law. Before going after the young, all participants of the Balkarian wedding were treated, and parents were showered with gifts. After the horse they sent for the bride. The girl was surrounded by friends in the room. Dzhigit had to touch her sleeve. Girlfriends tried not to let him do it.
An interesting rite with a cup
There are a lot of entertainment ceremonies in the Balkarian wedding. For example, the rite “the cup of the groom”. What is this custom? Relatives of the bride brought a huge bowl to the friends of the groom, with a capacity of about a bucket. She was bristly filled to the brim. Anyone who accepted this gift should drink from the cup without spilling a drop. Note that the parents outside greased the cup with oil.
Entrance to the groom's yard
Further, the celebration of the Balkar wedding continued at the groom's house. On the way, the youth for the future spouse arranged barriers, demanded a ransom. They drove into the groom's yard loudly - under the shots of rifles and funny cries. The bride, hidden by a veil, was brought into the room of the young. Only the relatives of the future spouse had access to this room. For entry they already pay a fee.
The Balkar wedding lasted around the clock, for seven days, with short breaks for sleep. In the course of it, the famous custom was fulfilled - “introducing the bride into the big house”. She had to come in from her right leg, always stepping on a lying goat skin.
Next, the daughter-in-law smeared her lips with oil and honey. This symbolized the desire of two women to live together. On the day of entering the house, the face of the young was shown to all the gathered women. A close friend of her husband had to open her face, dropping the bedspread with a dagger.
During the Balkarian wedding, the groom is in the family of a relative or friend, where the festivities take place. When the bride was already brought into the house, the next rite was held - “the return of the groom”. A few days later, the young wife could already clean the house and give food to cattle. At the same time, the son-in-law was tested (he was repairing something, chopping wood, etc.) in the house of his wife's parents.
Conclusion
Now you know what constitutes a Balkar wedding, the customs known we examined in the article. We hope that the information was useful and interesting to you.