A wedding is a celebration of joining two loving hearts and creating a new family. From this point of view, it is quite interesting to consider wedding traditions and customs of different peoples, because each of them does it in his own way. An Uzbek wedding is no exception.
How is a traditional wedding in Uzbekistan going?
Like many other nations, a wedding for Uzbeks is a big event, the most important thing in a person's life, to which dozens or even hundreds of relatives, friends and acquaintances are invited. Naturally, they prepare for such a celebration in advance - practically from the birth of children. The mother begins to collect a dowry for her daughter when the girl turns six years old. The search for a bride for a young man is called "kelin egalash". When a suitable girl was found, matchmakers - "sovchi" were sent to her house, who visited the family of the future bride three times. The third visit meant the consent of the girl's parents. Then the day of the engagement was appointed in the bride's house - "fotiha tui". It took place after the groom paid the kalym and presented various gifts to the girl's parents. A council was held in the groom's house, at which organizational issues were resolved, including the wedding itself, a responsible person was appointed who dealt with these issues. On the day of fotiha tuy, the ritual of breaking the cake, non sindirar, was performed, to which the closest relatives of both sides were invited.
The first day of the wedding begins with a festive morning pilaf. There are two such events: for women and for men separately - "hotin oshi" and "nakhor oshi", respectively. Both of these events are accompanied by national music, songs and dances. Then a priest is invited to conduct the wedding. The imam reads a prayer for the young - "nikoh", after which the marriage is considered perfect in the Islamic tradition. Then there is a ceremony of farewell between the bride and her family. A white path was scattered to the door of the house, along which the girl had to walk, and then bow at the threshold. When the bride came to the house, she was escorted to the room where she would live. Her things and dowry were left there. In the same room, the groom and his friends were treated to, and then the other men were sent off, leaving only the newlyweds.
Distinctive features of a modern wedding
As you know, now one prayer is not enough to conclude a marriage. You need to go to the registry office. Now a major wedding celebration, when all the guests are eating and having fun, takes place precisely after the civil marriage.
A modern wedding usually takes place in modern suits. The groom has a European costume, the bride has a white dress and a veil. Nevertheless, more and more girls are now striving to revive traditions and give preference to the primordial Uzbek dress - a silk robe, a vest embroidered with gold, a velvet jacket, wide trousers, a kokoshnik with a veil and shoes with curved toes.
