Gypsies - the most mysterious and mysterious peopleof our planet. They pass on from generation to generation their customs and traditions, thereby preserving and spreading them. Therefore, many of their ceremonies have ancient roots. Gypsy weddings, which are celebrated with scope and pomp, have a particularly unique flavor.
How to choose a pair
In the gypsy environment, marriages are created very early. Parents are very worried that young people do not clear up and “spoil”.
Gypsies do not have to go on dates, discos, parties. Often, future young people meet on the other weddings.
On gypsy weddings there is a tradition to call indance circle youth for performance. They dance in turns, and each performs their own ritual dance depending on their temperament. And in this way, the young are looking at each other.
Most often, parents enter into an agreement on marriage,when children are very small. But there are cases when they get acquainted by "random non-randomness." For example, they will find out that in another city there is a bride for marriage, they are going to that city, and stay for the night. In the evening they are talking at the table, and if the girl fits on all counts, she is wooed.
Currently, these customs have softened a bit,but the role of parents in choosing a couple is still quite weighty, since each family prefers to see people from decent and noble families as their future relatives.
Prewedding traditions
Gypsy society adheres to the customs of the caste system, similar to that which exists in India.
Before the wedding, there are special customs (some of them are directly dependent on the position in society and the well-being of families):
- The icon of the young is blessed only in very wealthy families, the middle and lower strata are blessed.
- If parents do not approve the choice of young,practiced "bride theft". They steal her and bring her to the house. After that, a very modest wedding is played, and all the expenses for the celebration are borne by the native brides.
- If there is mutual consent, then relativesthe bride is paid a considerable amount of money, and after that the wedding walks for three days. Redemption is a kind of compensation to the family of the bride for the loss of a helper. This money parents partially return as a gift to the young.
Matchmaking
It is from this ritual that the preparation forwedding Parents themselves are looking for spouses for their children. As a rule, the decision to unite families is made by adults, when the bride and the bride are still children. It is then determined when the wedding will be and how much the father expects to receive for the daughter.
During the rite of matchmaking there are always two attributes:
- Birch branch, it is hung with money, gold, coins.
- Loaf. It is baked according to a special recipe of the bride’s relatives. It is presented on a beautiful rushnik.
Matchmakers with the father of the bride come to the table, and if the father permits to put traditional attributes on the table, then he agrees to the wedding.
It should be noted that during matchmaking women are not present in the room, the “contract” is concluded only between the men of two families.
After the ritual begins the preparations for the celebration.
Wedding color
In gypsies, red is a symbol of joy, happiness and passion. He is necessarily present in the clothes of the newlyweds, guests, and it is in this color that decorate the holiday.
The red flags are hung in the houses of the bride and the groom, the red ribbon is an obligatory attribute of the costumes of all men, the groom has red and white.
Celebration time and custom
Gypsy weddings are held at any time of the year.but most of all they love summer. An ancient tradition is associated with this preference; earlier, low tables were set up and guests sat on the ground, which was covered with carpets.
Currently, of course, all weddings are celebrated in cafes and restaurants. But the love of summer celebrations remained.
The holiday lasts for three days, the richest gypsy wedding can last a week.
On the first day the hen party takes place, which includes the bargaining rite, but this is just a tribute to tradition.
After that, everyone sits down at the tables.And for women and men, they are covered in different sides of the hall, even the bride and groom do not sit together. After a certain time, the matchmakers shake hands, kiss, embrace - which means that the agreement is finally concluded.
The time of the ritual dance of the Gypsy beginswedding The groom's father invites the bride, then summon young friends and girlfriends to the circle. The first day, as a rule, ends after the dance, as the most important and important day lies ahead.
The second day is the wedding day itself. From the very morning relatives and friends help the bride to dress up. There is music playing in her house, singing songs, setting the table.
The bride puts on a wedding dress and dances in front of the guests. After which she is carried in her arms to the groom's house.
Banquet arrange in the house of the young or in the restaurant.Before the festive table, the bride and groom are blessed with an icon and bread, give expensive gifts, and pour water with sweets under their feet so that the life of the young will be sweet and happy.
During the banquet, young people are escorted with songs and dances to a separate room to perform the ritual of the first wedding night.
On the third day, be sure to cook soup fromlamb meat Traditional greetings will be voiced and dowry made public. Nowadays it is gold, money, jewelry. So the girl’s family demonstrates to the guests that she did not come empty-handed to her husband’s house, and in the event of a divorce she can take her things with her.
Customs and features
There are a number of features for a gypsy wedding:
- The groom's family pays for the banquet in full.To play the best Gypsy wedding, parents start saving money since the birth of a boy. A gorgeous wedding is a matter of family honor, so the preparation is taken very seriously and responsibly.
- Holiday tables are amazing. They are bursting with food, alcohol pours like water. But no one gets drunk, because it is a big shame in the community.
- Men are usually dressed in formal suits. Married women wear traditional clothes and cover their heads. Unmarried girls can come in a pantsuit.
- On a beautiful gypsy wedding always spendthe rite of fraternization, which symbolizes the eternal bond of the young. Small cuts are made on their fingers, then they are crossed, thus their blood is mixed.
- Couples do not make out an official marriage. But for Orthodox gypsies, the wedding is a must.
Custom "Take out the honor"
The first wedding night occurs during a wedding celebration. For the young, a special room is being prepared. Directly beside her are two witnesses.
After the guests take out a tray with a sheet, and the bride appears in the hall already dressed in a red dress, with her head covered and an apron.
If the bride was not innocent, the marriage is the samesecond is dissolved, and the family is covered with terrible shame. The family will even have to relocate, and the girl, most likely, will never marry again.
Why is the bride crying?
At the wedding, no matter how cheerful she is, the bride always cries. And for this there are reasons:
- A married woman is forbidden to wear pants, dresses and skirts should be below the knee, the head should be covered with a scarf.
- It is forbidden to meet with friends.
- The young wife keeps all the household, cooking, washing, cleaning.
- The wife has no right to contradict and disobey her husband.
- She is forbidden treason.
Every action at a gypsy wedding iscenturies-old traditions and customs. Each ritual is aimed at creating a happy family life. And the minimum number of divorces is the best proof that the values of the people are still relevant.
