‘Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music’.
This is an excerpt from a beautiful poem called ‘Marriage’, often read at weddings all around the world, it is written by the famous Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran from his book ‘The Prophet’. My husband and I were given a copy of it for our wedding; it must have been in the stars that our future included us working and living in the Middle East.
These countries’ wedding rituals are interwoven into their richly combined history, not so much by the borders that divide them but by family, tribal and religious customs. The proximity to the Mediterranean adds an extra joie de vivre to their celebrations. Many people from this region have immigrated to other countries but hold tight to their customs, especially when it comes to weddings, particularly with the music and dancing component. They combine these traditions with contemporary wedding customs of their adopted country; whatever the mix, it is a fantastic celebration. These photos are of a Palestinian couple living in New Zealand.
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You know there is a wedding happening somewhere when you hear lots of horns tooting in the street - it is a prelude to a fun filled night of music and dancing. Often it is not just one day but spread out over two or three. In some regions, especially in the rural areas the bride’s parents will invite the residents of their village, their friends and acquaintances to a big hall or outside venue. Here the bride sits on the decorated platform in her bridal dress. Everyone comes to greet her and have photos taken with her.
Then the groom arrives with family and friends accompanied with the Zaffa and traditional dancers will perform the ‘dabke’. They escort the groom to the hall to meet his bride. Once he reaches her he lifts her veil and kisses her. After that they stand to receive their guests and yes, more photos. This can also be repeated all over again at the groom’s village – more dancing, photos and general revelry!
The bride would have spent the day with her bridesmaids preparing for the main celebration. Soon all her relatives will start to arrive at her house and greet her and have photos and enjoy drinks and sweets. The formal living room will be bursting with flowers and the Arabic music starts to turn up a notch or two. The car horns are heard in the distance as the groom’s family start to arrive – more family photos are taken with of course some dancing added to the mix. Finally the bride’s father escorts her to the waiting car and they drive to the church, if it is a Christian marriage. The groom is waiting for his bride outside – firstly the parents walk down the aisle, followed by the bride and groom.
The bride and groom go hand in hand to the party. While the Zaffa is performed a group of men take turns carrying the bride and groom while dancing, don’t forget the ululating! The bride and groom’s family and friends are all standing and waving. The cake is a dramatically cut with a sword often accompanied with fireworks - an amazing finale to an adrenaline charged event.
For more traditional and fusion images of weddings from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan & Palestine, please check out our photo slider below.
CREDITS:
Article written by Helen Schrader
Helen Schrader is an Australian registered Civil Marriage Celebrant residing in the United Arab Emirates. Ms. Schrader assists couples of various cultural backgrounds wishing to celebrate their marriages in the UAE and beyond by conducting their ceremonies, guiding them through the marriage process and honoring their individual wedding day visions and traditions.
Author’s Note: Thank you to Rouba for your contribution.