Tajiks Have Unique Wedding Ceremony in the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang, China The Tajik people, who live in the mountains in Northwest Chinas Xinjiang Autonomous Region, are commonly referred to as the descendants of the Goddess of the Sun (Xi He). The grand, activity-filled traditional Tajik wedding reflects the ethnic groups distinct features. The Tajik people have existed for more than 4,000 years. In addition to the Republic of Tajikistan, Afghanistan (in central Asia) and Pakistan, Tajiks live in the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Shache, Zepu and some other counties in Xinjiang. Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County is situated in the eastern region of Pamir Plateau, which is called the roof of Asia (at an average altitude above 4,000 meters above sea level). The plateau is an important line of communications between Eastern and Western countries. The traditional Tajik wedding lasts between three and seven days. The first day can be considered the prologue to the wedding ceremony. That day, both the bride and groom take baths and dress themselves in their parents homes. Their parents, meanwhile, keep busy entertaining the guests, most of whom offer the families various presents, such as crusty pancakes (staple food of the Tajiks), clothes and/or jewelry. Close relatives usually offer sheep as presents. A woman, generally the mother or sister of either the bride or groom, will spread flour over the presents, to express good wishes to the young couple. The guests sing and dance to celebrate the happy occasion, and the families feed the guests stewed mutton, beef and other delicious foods. Some female friends buy the wedding dress and jewelry for the bride. During the ceremony, the bride wears a red-and-white handkerchief, which represents happiness and good luck, around her wrist. The groom, meanwhile, wears a hat decorated with a red-and-white cloth; the white represents growing old together, while the red represents a happy life. During the second day, the groom rides a big, strong horse (or drives a car) to the brides parents house, to pick up his bride. The imam (an Islamic leader) chairs Nikah (an Islamic worship service) during the wedding ceremony at the brides parents house. After the imam chants the scriptures, he spreads flour (which represents happiness) on the red cloth, which covers articles — a half bowl of brine, a piece of pancake, meat and a rolling pin — used during the service. Then, he blows an immortal breath to the pancake, and hands it and the brine to the couple. The bride and groom drink the brine. It is somewhat like Han peoples custom of drinking cross-cupped wine in the bridal chamber. (The bride and groom each hold a wine-filled cup, and they stand face to face, with their cup-holding arms crossed, as they drink from each others cup. This symbolizes the previously two separate individuals being joined as one during the wedding.) The groom takes the first bite of the pancake, then lets the bride take a bite. Finally, the imam spreads flour over the couple to offer good wishes to them. The rolling pin symbolizes hope that the couple will have a large family. Before the young couple leaves the brides parents house (on the morning of the third day), the groom kisses the hands of his parents-in-law, to express his respect for and gratitude to them. The bride then kisses her parents goodbye; that is an expression of gratitude for their loving care. After the couple reaches the grooms parents house, the mans mother gives her daughter-in-law two bowls of buttered milk. The bride drinks the milk, and she then enters her bridal chamber. During the evening, the grooms family holds a grand wedding feast. The familys friends and relatives sing and/or play hand drums and flutes (made from the bones of eagles wings). According to the local custom, the newlyweds stay in the bridal chamber. The bride covers her face with the wedding veil during the first three days of the wedding until the imam or the chief witness at the wedding ceremony opens her veil in public. One of the most exciting activities during the wedding festivities is the game in which riders, in teams, try to catch a goat and take it to a designated spot. The game, which requires the riders cooperation and superb horsemanship, is called the brave mens sport on the grassland - Buzkushi Photos: Mr. Murad Shah from Hussaini Gojal Hunza takes us to one of the Tajik wedding ceremony through his camera lens. He participated in his Siriqoli Tajik friend Mr. Amridin’s wedding ceremony held in Tashkurgan and Wachau valley, Xinjiang province China on November 7-8, 2014. — more at
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:32:52 +0000
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