Ladhaki
Wedding Culture and Traditions
Galicnik which extends on the falls of mount Bistra is found 110
km away from the capital city of Macedonia. Each year Galicnik hosts
a traditional Macedonian wedding in the beginning of July. This
traditional wedding is a remainder of the past. When Galicnik had
1600 people living in 800 houses. Learn more about Ladhaki Wedding
Culture and Traditions Below
They are away from the modern living. Social occasions
provide an opportunity to sing and dance. They also revel in the
joys their simple life affords them Ladhak marriage provides a great
occasion to perform ceremonies. The ceremony lasts for at least
a couple of days. In Ladhak, marriage is conducted with great enthusiasm.
It presents a mix of music, dance, joy and laughter.
A marriage proposal comes from the boy's side. Marriages
are usually initiated by the boy' parents when he is around 20 years
of age. Girl is generally two or four years younger than the boy.
To make a proposal, a relative goes to the house
of bride.
If the proposal is accepted, lamas are consulted to
select an auspicious date.
Relatives or family member of the boy gives a ring,
butter, tea and chang to the girl. If the gifts are accepted, then
marriage follows the next month. The boy offers the necklace and
clothes to the girl. Clothes, animals and land are given to the
couple by the girl's parents. These gifts are known as dowry or
raqtqaq. The bride goes to live with in the groom's house.
The main feature of this wedding is the recitation
of long narratives. Marriage songs are sung by the wedding party
led by the leader. Unique costumes which are especially made for
the ceremonies are worn by the singers. Jabro dance form is peculiar
to Chang-thang and Rong areas of Ladakh region. This dance is performed
by the males and females facing each other forming rows and circles.
They dance leaping hand in hand forwards and backwards reciting
melodious songs.
It is a community dance of the nomadic people of Tibetan
origin living in the high hill of Ladhak.
Another popular dance is Alley zate which is basically
the dance of shepherds of Zanskar area of Ladakh region. It is a
combination of poetry and dance.
The Ladakhi marriage dance Bagstonrches continues
for weeks during the marriage ceremonies. The bride and bridegroom
also join in. The dances are usually performed in tune with the
songs. Surna and Damman are played with these dances.
Bride and groom are dressed in their traditional attires.
Ladakhi women wear an ornament called sondus or brasshill. It is
a symbol of marriage. An extraordinary head dress called perak which
has 20 to 200 large turquoise and other stones set across wide leather
pieces. It begins below the forehead and goes till the waist.
Special wedding meal consists of pava which is prepared
by boiling peas and barley flour in water until the peas are hard.
Skir is another dish which is like a hotpot of meat, potatoes, grain
and some vegetables. Gyatug is a dish of long vermicelli like strips
of tsampa over which minced meat and flavored sauce is poured.
Community feast is the part of the ceremony where
relatives and neighbors join to be the part of celebration.
Blessing of the lamas and monks are also taken
on the marriage.
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