Across the Middle East, ancient civilizations have maintained wedding customs for generations, honoring various traditions among different groups of people. Yet, there is a shared cultural essence that unites the region. One prevalent tradition in numerous areas of the Middle East involves hosting an engagement party as part of a series of five celebratory events leading up to the wedding ceremony.
The engagement party marks the start of the wedding festivities. It brings together the bride and groom with their loved ones for a joyful celebration filled with delicious food, lively dancing, and melodious singing. These parties often last late into the night. Additionally, it is customary for the bride to change her attire multiple times during this event, sometimes up to five times. Moreover, signing the marriage contract adds even more jubilation to the occasion.
The second celebration takes place at the courthouse when the couple officially signs their marriage contract. Once again, family and friends are invited to join in on this festive event that includes merriment, musical performances, and exuberant dancing.
The bride typically changes her dress several times during the party, sometimes as many as five times. The Hena party is a traditional event held one day before the wedding to safeguard against evil spirits and ensure the happiness of the newlywed couple. It is considered the second largest celebration after the wedding itself. During this gathering, Hena, a dye commonly utilized for designing distinctive tattoos on the bride’s hands and feet, is applied as a means of protection against negative forces. Furthermore, it is also when the ritual of “grinding” occurs.
In many parts of the Middle East, during wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom are seated while unmarried girls hold a white cloth on their heads. The “grinding girl” then grinds together two lumps of sugar above the couples’ heads, praying to God (Allah) to protect them from evil spirits. It is customary for the bride to wear a green dress at the Hena party, which often lasts until dawn on the wedding day. The wedding reception follows, along with the tradition of presenting five pieces of almond as a token. After the wedding ceremony itself, where the couple exchanges wedding rings, it is believed that the practice of wearing wedding rings originated.
The Middle East hosts the biggest party of all, known as a wedding celebration. This event closely resembles the receptions following weddings in the United States and Europe, consisting of speeches, dancing, singing, and traditional Middle Eastern music. It is common for each guest to receive five almond pieces, representing the five sacred wedding wishes: health, happiness, wealth, fertility, and longevity. The final celebration, called Sabaa in Arabic meaning “Seven,” takes place seven days after the marriage. In many respects, the Sabaa party is equivalent to a wedding shower in the United States or Europe.
The Sabaa ceremony is a women-only event that occurs at the bride’s mother’s home. Women guests bring gifts for the bride, and traditionally, the bride’s mother presents her daughter with either gold or diamonds. Although similar customs exist in various Middle Eastern regions, they are not universally practiced.
Middle Eastern weddings showcase diverse cultures, each with their own distinct traditions, yet they all share the common element of a joyous and celebratory atmosphere marking the start of a couple’s new journey together.
