Katie Waldeck
1. Kenya: Spitting on the Bride
8. African Americans: Jumping the Broom
May 31, 2015
What event typifies a
culture better than a wedding? Read on for some of the most unique wedding
traditions across the globe. Do you have a great wedding tradition in your
family or culture? Let us know about it in the comments!
1. Kenya: Spitting on the Bride
The Maasai people of
Kenya have what is perhaps one of the most unique matrimonial customs on the
planet: the father of the bride actually spits on the bride’s head and breasts
after the ceremony! And it’s not just in wedding ceremonies, either—in Maasai
culture, spitting is a way to show respect to others.
2. Lebanon: Late Nights
In much of the world,
it’s customary for the newlyweds leave the ceremony before many of the guests.
That’s not the case in Lebanon, however; in this Middle Eastern nation, it’s
customary for the happy couple to stay until every single guest has left.
3. South Korea: Wedding
Ducks
Many Korean couples
receive carved mandarin ducks as a wedding gift. It’s believed that mandarin
ducks mate with their partners for life, and that ducks symbolize peace and
fertility.
Though far less common
in modern ceremonies than it once was, traditionally, the duck carvings
actually have a place in the ceremony. Before it starts, the ducks, minus the
necks, are wrapped in cloth and carried into the ceremony. The bride then puts
the wrapped ducks on the table when she enters, and, after the ceremony, the
mother of the groom throws the ducks at the bride. If she catches it, she’ll
have a boy; if she doesn’t, a girl.
4. India: Stealing Shoes
Known as Joota Chupai,
or, quite literally, “stealing shoes,” this Indian wedding tradition involves
the eldest unmarried woman from the bride’s side of the family stealing the
shoes of the groom. At the start of the ceremony, the groom removes his shoes
when he enters the mandap (similar to a western wedding altar) and the young
women of the bride’s family find a clever place to hide them. The groom then
offers a “ransom” of some sort, often pocket money, to get them back. It’s a
fun tradition that’s meant to symbolize the uniting of two families.
5. Germany: Log Cutting
In Germany, the bride
and groom saw a log in half immediately after the ceremony. Known as baumstamm
sägen, the log sawing is symbolic of the first major hurdle the two face as a
couple.
6. Greece: Crowns
Crowns are a mainstay of
a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. These crowns, tied together by
ribbon, represent the union of two families, two souls and the creation of a
new kingdom. During the ceremony, the priest switches the crowns back and forth
between the bride and groom and, wearing the crown, the bride and groom follow
the priest around the altar 3 times. The removal of the crowns represents the
end of the ceremony.
7. Romania: Kidnapping
the Bride.
In Romania and many
other Eastern European countries, the bride can expect to be kidnapped by the
family of the groom. It’s all in good fun, though: a little bit of alcohol or a
song, or even a little money is enough to meet the “ransom” demand.
8. African Americans: Jumping the Broom
A popular ritual for
African American couples, jumping the broom almost certainly has its roots in
traditional African tribal weddings, particularly in Ghana. It’s a way to honor
your heritage and join two families. After African Americans were legally able
to marry, the practice of jumping the broom went out of favor. It didn’t gain
popularity until the landmark television miniseries “Roots” depicted it. You
can read more about the fascinating and heartbreaking history of jumping thebroom here.
Source: care2
