Melanie Brown Intercultural Communication East Indian Weddings Melanie Brown Intercultural Communication

Muslim Indian Weddings The Wedding last for five days, which include….. The Engagement The Bride Ceremonies The Groom Ceremonies The Wedding Day The Farewell Day

Day 1: The Engagement The bride and groom meet each other’s families Exchange rings The bride receives ancestry jewelry from the groom’s family as a gift Sherbet Drinking Ceremony (sweet milk)

Day 2: Bride’s Ceremony Henna Ceremony Turmeric (yellow powder/paste that brings out the “glow” in a woman before the wedding) Bridal shower Bachlorette party Groom “crashes” the bridal party and brings rose bouquet to the bride

Day 3: Groom’s Ceremony Pithi- The groom is bashed with turmeric paste, ketchup, tomatoes, eggs and honey. This ceremony is done to show that the groom is ready for manhood and can handle life on his own. Bachelor party Bride’s maids “crash” the bachelor party while the bride spends time with family and friends.

Day 4: Wedding Day The Groom comes to pick up the bride and ask for permission to marry her. The bride wears a traditional dress called a “Saree” and the groom wears a traditional suit called a “Salwar Kameez”. Some men just wear regular suits. The actual wedding ceremony is called “Nikah” which takes place in a “Mosque” and takes place during the morning. Only close family members attend The father of the bride walks her down the isle and the best man walks the groom down They exchange vow's but the groom is only allowed to kiss the bride on her forehead.

Wedding Day continued… After the “Nikah” ceremony the bride and groom go to a central house and celebrate over lunch with their close friends and family. After the lunch the nightly ceremony/reception is held, which involves food, dancing and singing. This is the last night with the bride and the groom.

The Reception Rice always has to be served There has to be something sweet served at the wedding which symbolizes celebration

After the Reception The groom’s sister decorates a room (normally a hotel room) o a private party room with flowers and wedding decorations. The groom has to pay a fee to all the bride’s maids for coming to the room. This is just a finally get together with wedding party and close friends to congratulate the bride and groom.

Day 5: Farewell Day Bride and groom go to the bride’s house and have the farewell ceremony. Bride’s family spoils her with gift (money, house warming gifts ect.) When the bride leaves her house her mother breaks a coconut on the ground and the bride walks over it as she leaves her house for good. She also throws rice over her shoulder as she leaves the house. The rice symbolizes that she is leaving her childhood behind but the love for her family will still be there.

Farewell Day continued When they leave the bride’s house they go to the groom’s house. Upon arrival the groom’s mother breaks a coconut on the ground and the bride walks over it into the groom’s house. This is meant to welcome the bride into their family.

Conclusion There are five days to the wedding ceremony in Muslim Indian Weddings. Day 1: The Engagement Day 2: The Bridal Ceremonies Day 3: The Groom Ceremonies Day 4: The Wedding Day Day 5: The Farewell Day Thank you for your time, any questions?

References http://www.indianholiday.com/theme-holidays-in-india/weddings-tourism.html http://www.indiantraveltrendz.com/indian-weddings.html http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/indian-wedding-facts.html Natasha Babvani (close friend)