Post by Mohamed A.M. on May 27, 2011 20:45:41 GMT 4
Have you ever attended an Emirati wedding?
First of all, there are separate weddings for men and women (and they are never mixed). For this reason I can only speak for the men's side of the wedding.
So what is the men's side of the wedding like? It can be summarized by saying all you do is attend, say hi to lots of people then eat food. A LOT of food. The weddings take place after maghrib and isha prayers (8 or 9pm depending on the time of the year).
When you arrive you greet a lot of people the traditional way (shaking hands and nose-touching). The groom and his father are usually wearing a "bisht" which is a black light mesh coat that they wear over the kandoora with golden woven edges. After greeting various people you find a seat and wait for the dinner as you chat with people next to you or people you know. As you wait they serve you with various sweets such as Omani halwa (made of sugar, ghee and spices), chocolates, traditional Arabic coffee, tea, fruit juices, and the list cab just go on on the variety of things they can serve. Some weddings have traditional bands playing music and dancing as well.
Once there are enough guests (or depending on the host's mood) they invite the guests to the dining tables. Everyone stands and heads there. As you sit the common dish on all tables is what we call a "thabiha" which is usually large dishes containing rice topped with huge pieces of cooked goats, camels or sheep. This dish is a must in all weddings. They also serve other traditional dishes, salads, sweets all depending on the choice of the host.
The picture will be a lot clearer if you attend a wedding yourself. If you have an Emirati colleague at work and he is getting married, please don't miss out on attending his wedding. It is an honor for Emiratis to invite the people they know and for those people to attend their wedding.
First of all, there are separate weddings for men and women (and they are never mixed). For this reason I can only speak for the men's side of the wedding.
So what is the men's side of the wedding like? It can be summarized by saying all you do is attend, say hi to lots of people then eat food. A LOT of food. The weddings take place after maghrib and isha prayers (8 or 9pm depending on the time of the year).
When you arrive you greet a lot of people the traditional way (shaking hands and nose-touching). The groom and his father are usually wearing a "bisht" which is a black light mesh coat that they wear over the kandoora with golden woven edges. After greeting various people you find a seat and wait for the dinner as you chat with people next to you or people you know. As you wait they serve you with various sweets such as Omani halwa (made of sugar, ghee and spices), chocolates, traditional Arabic coffee, tea, fruit juices, and the list cab just go on on the variety of things they can serve. Some weddings have traditional bands playing music and dancing as well.
Once there are enough guests (or depending on the host's mood) they invite the guests to the dining tables. Everyone stands and heads there. As you sit the common dish on all tables is what we call a "thabiha" which is usually large dishes containing rice topped with huge pieces of cooked goats, camels or sheep. This dish is a must in all weddings. They also serve other traditional dishes, salads, sweets all depending on the choice of the host.
The picture will be a lot clearer if you attend a wedding yourself. If you have an Emirati colleague at work and he is getting married, please don't miss out on attending his wedding. It is an honor for Emiratis to invite the people they know and for those people to attend their wedding.