Tibetan Traditional Wedding
Posted January 27th, 2009Categories: Asia, China, Foreign Culture, local culture, Team Stories, travel, traveling, Uncategorized, United Planet
Tags: bride, couple, groom, khadas, scarves, tradition, wedding
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Post written by Caiya, United Planet Team member
Weddings are very sacred and inviolable ceremonies in nations the world over. They give insight into a country’s national traditions, customs and culture. Today UP is showcasing the wedding traditions of Tibet:
The day before the wedding, the engaged are not allowed to see each other at all. During the day, monks pray for their marriage to dispel any bad luck.
The above picture is an example of the dress of a newly-married couple. Accompanying them are the best man and bridesmaid.
On the wedding day, a show man repeats Tibetan rhymed congratulatory words for the new couple. Then, it is the time for guests to show their best wishes to both the bride and groom by offering khadas, or scarves.
Then, the performances begin. During the show, the couple’s parents and relatives toast with the guests. The evening ends with a toast made by the new couple.
After the wedding, all the relatives, friends, old classmates and colleagues gather at the new couple’s home and celebrate until that late night. In Tibet, a new couple is not allowed to leave their home for three whole days—a test for both of them as to the strength of the marriage. If they persist, then Tibetans believe that their marriage will last forever.
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October 5th, 2010 at 7:44 am
I didn’t know monks would pray for them or that they were not aloud to leave the house for 3 days. There is some good information here.It’s a nice idea that if they can spend 3 days without leaving the house then their marriage will last forever.
October 27th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
one thing every one forget to mentioned about tibetan marraige is, undocumented marraige is legal in tibetan culture.
November 12th, 2010 at 8:49 am
More of tibetan traditional wedding infos for you: On the wedding day, the groom’s family will invite a person with good reputation and a group of riders to fetch the bride. A well-decorated pregnant horse with color suitable with the bride’s zodiac attributes is also brought along for the bride. A colored arrow (covered in a five-colored Khatag), matched with a mirror, precious jade and some jewels will also be taken. Upon entering the bride’s house, the colored arrow will be placed onto the back collar of the bride. The jade piece is placed onto her head to symbolize that she belongs to the groom’s family. When the bride leaves, her family will take the colored arrow and a gigot upstairs and shout repeatedly ‘Don’t take our good luck away’ until she is out of sight.