Few people know that marriage between a man and a woman, as a legalized form of relationship, was invented by the ancient Egyptians. In addition, they, even in those ancient times, established the concept of a marriage contract in which the duties and rights of those entering into marriage were determined in writing. The marriage contract, which is now beginning to become fashionable, even in those ancient times, the Egyptians established the share of each of the spouses in their common joint property.
The custom to exchange wedding rings was also invented by the Egyptians a very long time ago, about 6 thousand years ago. The ring was honored by the ancient Egyptians as a symbol of eternal and unchanging love and stability of relations.
Over time, this custom has spread all over the world, though with some changes. The Egyptians wore wedding rings on the middle finger of the left hand, because it was believed that it was through this finger that a vein passes to the heart. But in Europe and in Russia in Russia, a wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand. According to ancient Slavic traditions, the ring finger with a ring on it has miraculous power. Now most young Egyptians adhere to the European manner of wearing a wedding ring.
Since ancient times, certain traditions have been established in the wedding ceremony, which have survived to this day. Before the wedding, the groom must agree with the parents of the bride on the ransom for the bride. This is carried out by the method of ordinary bargaining, during which they determine the size of the ransom “mahr” and a gift to parents from the groom “shabka”. Thereby, the bride’s parents find out how rich and generous their future son-in-law is, and whether he has the opportunity to adequately support his wife. But the bride is only required to equip the kitchen of their future home. Usually this is a kitchen set and utensils.
A modern wedding in Egypt handles the same way as it did thousands of years ago; it has the same traditions and customs. During the wedding ritual, the bride and groom are put in armchairs on a pedestal and fumigated with smoke of herbs.
Musicians perform Zeffe – Egyptian wedding march. After this, the Koran is read, the bride and groom give a marriage vow. Musicians play national dance music, horns sound and beat drums. Invited dancers perform belly dancing, men dancers perform dances with swords and burning torches. Very popular wedding dance with a candelabrum. Relatives and friends, while dancing, lift chairs together with the newlyweds in their arms. After the ceremony, the bride and groom are taken to a new house or apartment and left alone.
After that, towards the evening a wedding feast will be held. Serve holiday tables. All relatives, friends and neighbors are welcome. Everyone, including young ones, should come to the feast in other clothes. Serve holiday tables. Before you sit down at the table again read the Koran, with what, its reading is accompanied by music. The feast is accompanied by music and dancing. It is interesting that men and women dance separately. During the feast, invited artists or members of the host family arrange theatrical performances specially prepared for this occasion.
During the feast, to which the newlyweds and guests must come, having dressed in other clothes, they also read the Koran, but this is done by the invited master of art reading accompanied by musical accompaniment. If dancing begins, then men and women dance separately. Specially prepared theatrical performances, which are held by the hosts and guests or specially invited artists, are very popular at wedding feasts.
Take the wedding table with ample abundance. Be sure to cook a wedding pilaf “poppy-love”, less often just boiled rice with lamb and sour milk sauce. There are a lot of snacks and sweets on the table. Be sure to serve a sweet dish “Bintas-Sakhn”, it’s such flour with butter and honey.
A special wedding soup is prepared for the bride and groom. Many seasonings are added to it: cinnamon, cloves, mint, paprika. It is believed that he aggravates the feelings of the newlyweds.
In large cities, quite often weddings do not celebrate such a magnificent feast. On the tables there are mainly drinks, salads, sandwiches and light snacks. But weddings are just as fun, the main thing at such weddings is music, fun and dancing, and small concert performances.
Usually in Egyptian families, after a wedding, a woman does not work, but sits at home. But, in principle, it all depends on her desire: if she wants, she can go to work. But more often wives do household chores, raise and raise children.
Polygamy is quite common in the Arab world. A man can take up to four wives, but only if he is able to provide them. Moreover, everyone should be provided exactly the same. They have everything, even gifts should be of equal value. A man is allowed to marry a woman of any nationality. But a woman is supposed to marry only an Arab.
