Hello all! I’m so glad to see you back, checking out the latest in cultural traditions at our little ole site!!! It’s always a pleasure to dig up treasure of centuries before that are carried out still today. Actually, if you really sit down to think about it, it’s actually kind of amazing that traditions, begun by ancestors we couldn’t even describe created long standing ritual that are carried on even today in our fast paced society and age of technology. With our constant need for trendy, popular and spectacular elements to amaze our guest at every turn, embracing the simplicity of our heritages in one of the great milestones in our life is nothing short of incredible!
Today’s focus is on one of the great countries of the Middle East – Lebenon. Despite Lebanon’s diversified people, who belong to 18 different sects, the Lebanese are unified to sharing the same traditions. You can see this clearly when attending Lebanese weddings anywhere in Lebanon.
Whether simple or grand, a Lebanese wedding wouldn’t be truly Lebanese without a ‘zaffeh’ (zaffe). Zaffeh is Arabic for the act of escorting the bride to her husband, and nowadays with her husband, in celebration of their holy marriage.
A wedding in the village, though simple, is one which everybody takes part of. In many villages, celebrations go on for three consecutive days. On the third day, the groom is escorted by a group of dancers, as they play music, sing and dance on their way to the bride’s house. Joined by family members, friends and neighbors, the groom makes his way up to his bride’s house. There is when the zaffeh really takes place. As the bride and groom make their way out, women give them their blessings, not forget the ‘Ah Weeeee-ha’, and the ‘zalghouta’, a very quick joyous sound. Young boys and girls shower the newlyweds with flower petals and rice as a sign of happiness.
Modern interpretations of the Zaffeh can include the bride and groom being escorted to the wedding site accompanied by professional dances to give their guest a grand vision of their arrival
I just love the jubilation incorporated into any wedding event form the very start! What a great way to greet your guest with nothing more than jubilance! Silent guest need not apply . . . this is the beginning of a super party.
I’d love to get your feedback, should weddings start off in a somber respectful manner, as they do in common Western fashion, or adopt a more rambunctious commencement?
