Monsoon Wedding Essay

510 Words3 Pages
In the United States, the meaning of marriage means stabilized patterns of customs and roles associated with the mutual relationship between husband and wife. It brings together a man and a woman in a special kind of social and legal arrangement that serves several purposes for a society. This definition tells us what marriage is meant in the western nations, but does not sum up the features of marriage in other nations such as the Middle East. The Middle East is one of the oldest civilizations that are still around and many of their wedding traditions have been passed on through many centuries. Marriages in the Middle East are often are arranged marriages. An arranged marriage is a marriage in which neither the bride nor the groom has any official say over the selection of their future spouses, it is usually determined by their parents. However, in an arranged marriage, both parties give full consent to the marriage. In many parts of the Middle East it is common that they have at least four different parties in their wedding ceremony. It all begins with the engagement party. Where the bride and groom invite their family and friends and have a festive party thrown, with special foods, dancing and singing joyful music. The second party takes place on the day the bride and groom visit the courthouse and sign their marriage contract. Again family and friends are invited and there is still ample amount of celebration. The third party takes place one day before the wedding and is second biggest party in size other than the wedding day itself. This third party is named the Hena party. Hena is a dye that is used to make special tattoos to the hands and feet of the bride. It is said that the Hena party is to ward off any evil spirits and to ensure the happiness of the new couple. The final party follows the wedding itself, at which the bride and groom exchange wedding rings.

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