Wedding Ceremonies in Lorestan
Wedding Ceremonies in Lorestan
Naf-Bar (Engagement)
According to traditional beliefs, and similar to various parts of Iran, in Lorestan, it is believed that the marriage of a first cousin is preordained. Consequently, familial marriages are common. Therefore, within the family, as soon as a girl is born, she is designated for a male cousin, a practice known as Naf-Bar or Nafe-Bar.
It is possible for a girl and a boy from the same family to be betrothed several years after their birth. These individuals may be first cousins, second cousins, or their mothers may be sisters, making them maternal cousins. In this way, the destiny of these individuals is determined from their earliest days by their parents. Following this betrothal, the groom's family brings a sheep to the girl's house and holds a celebration. From that time on, the girl is provided for by the groom.
Kar-e Keykhai (The Work of the Keykhai)
Another wedding tradition in Lorestan, similar to all parts of Iran, is the engagement ceremony. However, this engagement in Lorestan province has its own unique customs. Engagement among the Lurs is called Kar-e Keykhai. Before going to propose, they perform "Saranje-Giro," meaning they observe the future bride. For this purpose, several members of the groom's family go to the bride's house, see her, and if they are strangers, they become acquainted with her family.
After this, it is the turn of the two fathers to converse, and after the bride's family expresses their consent for the initial stages, the groom's family proceeds to Kar-e Keykhai. If the girl and boy have not been previously betrothed (Nafe-Bar), there is still a high probability that they are related, and therefore, the answer to the proposal is usually given on the same night.
Kharj Borun (Expense Determination)
Another custom of weddings in Lorestan is the Kharj Borun ceremony. In this custom, all close relatives of the bride and groom gather at the bride's house and determine the wedding expenses and dowry. This excellent old tradition ensures that no economic pressure is placed on the bride and groom's families, and all relatives participate in the marriage of the two young people, contributing to the expenses.
It has been customary to give a sum of money as "Shirbaha" (milk price) to the bride's mother, who has been responsible for raising her daughter. On the night of Kharj Borun, the amount of Shirbaha, the dowry, wedding expenses, and dowry are all listed on a paper called a "Siahah" (list). Documenting all wedding expenses is an interesting tradition that ensures both parties and all families have a more formal commitment to the financial aspects of the wedding.
Das Busu (Kissing Hands)
A few days before the marriage ceremony, the groom's family, along with the elders of the family, go to the bride's house for Das Busu. They ask the bride's father for the last time for permission to accept his daughter as the groom's wife. After the bride's father gives permission, the groom or his brother rises and kisses the bride's father's hand. This ceremony is the last covenant before the marriage ceremony, and everyone prepares with joy for the wedding day.
Aghd Konun (Marriage Ceremony)
The Aghd Konun ceremony may take place before the wedding and on a separate day so that the bride and groom become legally married and prepare themselves for married life and living together. Usually, the Aghd Konun takes place a few days after Kharj Borun and at the bride's house. The day before the Aghd, the groom's family brings gifts, from food to a henna-dyed sheep, to the bride's house. They do this with music and incense.
These gifts are called "Avoozife." Then, at the bride's house and after lunch, the marriage ceremony is held, and the girl, after three questions and receiving a "Zirlafzi" (a promise) from the groom, answers "Yes" to the cleric and officially becomes the groom's wife.
Shab Henabano (Henna Night)
Another wedding ceremony in Lorestan is Shab Henabano or Henna Night. This ceremony is celebrated the night before the wedding at the bride's house, during which the groom's family brings gifts for the bride's family. These gifts, which can be shoes, clothes, headscarves, cosmetics, and other items, are gift-wrapped and placed on a tray or platter and are carried by "Tabagh-Kesh" (tray carriers) with dancing, music, and singing to the bride's house.
In this ceremony, henna is applied to the hands of the bride and groom, and gold is gifted to the bride.
Preparing the Bride and Groom for the Wedding in Lorestan
The wedding celebration in Lorestan, whether held during the day or at night, has specific customs that begin with the preparation of the bride and groom. On this day, the groom prepares with his brothers and unmarried young men. This preparation is accompanied by dancing and revelry.
The bride's preparation is also done by her sisters and the groom's sisters, where they all wear fine clothes for joy and happiness and prepare for the ceremony. During these preparations, there is drumming, singing, and chanting.
Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony may be held separately or mixed. In separate ceremonies, women create a joyful atmosphere by singing local songs called "Hule." The wedding party is full of dancing and revelry, and young people dance to the sound of music and drums. Local dances at weddings in Lorestan include "Dopah," "Sehpa," "Sangin Sama," and others, which are performed with handkerchiefs. Also, women and men, holding hands or separately, perform group dances with local music.
Chub-Bazi (stick play) may also be performed. Another activity that takes place in this ceremony is shooting in the air or targeting a sheep near the wedding ceremony.
Aroos-Baro (Bringing the Bride)
Bringing the bride to the groom's house is called Aroos-Baro, during which the bride's family says goodbye to their daughter. The bride's brother places a piece of rock candy inside a red cloth and ties it around the bride's waist. They attach "Shabash" (money) to the bride's dress, and in this way, the bride goes to her own home and life.
Duma Salam, Madarzan Salam (Greetings to the Groom, Greetings to the Mother-in-Law)
This custom is one of the things that is done after the wedding in Lorestan. The day after the wedding, the bride's family brings breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the young couple and continues this for three days and nights. They also make "Kachi" for the bride, which is a thin and nutritious halva. The Lurs call Kachi "Jojush." On the other hand, the groom goes to his wife's parents' house and kisses the hands of his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and they also give him gifts.
Patakhti (Post-Wedding Gathering)
In the past, it was customary for close guests to send gifts to the bride and groom in platters the day after the wedding, thus showing their joy. But recently, like the Patakhti custom that is common in other parts of Iran, women go to the bride and groom's house on the third day of the wedding and give gifts. In this ceremony, women also dance and celebrate by singing "Hule."
Pagosha (Welcoming the Bride and Groom)
Another wedding custom in Lorestan is Pagosha. This ceremony, which is held a week after the wedding, involves the close relatives of the bride and groom hosting a party for the young couple and sometimes giving gifts.
If you are invited to a wedding in Lorestan, then luck has come your way. Plan to arrive a few days earlier to enjoy the attractions of this ceremony and have fun.
