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| Culture Class: Holidays in Iran, Season 1, Lesson 17 - Wedding Ceremony |
| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Iran Series at PersianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Iranian holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 17, Wedding Ceremony. In Persian, it’s called Jashn-e aroosi. |
| The proposal and engagement periods in Iran are followed by a wedding ceremony. These wedding ceremonies involve two stages--the ceremony itself, and a wedding party that follows. |
| In this lesson, we will discuss wedding traditions in Iran, including the engagement ceremony, the engagement party, and the dancing and fun that takes place at the wedding party. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question- |
| What does the "sini-yeh Aatel va Batel" in the marriage ceremony refer to? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Engagement, or naamzadi in Persian, means matrimonial promise, which is the commitment a bride and groom pledge to each other at the start of their marriage. In Iran, a religious figure, or Aaghed in Persian, reads the marriage vows or statements along with the bride and groom during the ceremony. This figure asks the bride whether or not she is ready to officially marry the groom. In response, the bride says,"With the permission of my elders, yes!" to affirm her consent. The newly-wed couple then exchange rings, or halgheh. |
| Traditional engagement ceremonies are usually conducted around a cloth called sofre-ye aghd, which literally means wedding cloth. On one side of this cloth, the bride and groom sit beside each other. Their close relatives then place a large white cloth over their heads and rub two sugar loaves, or kaleh ghand on them to symbolize the sweetness of the new life that awaits them. On the sofre-ye aghd lies a number of symbolic objects, such as two candlesticks with a mirror between them; bread, cheese, and vegetables to represent happiness and blessings; eggs for productivity; a gold coin for wealth; honey and yogurt for the sweetness and sourness of life; and most importantly, the Quran, and a prayer mat for holiness. |
| After the engagement ceremony, a wedding ceremony is held. The wedding ceremony usually includes a dinner and dessert in a large area like a hall, or saalon. In this hall, wedding guests dance to the tune of joyous music. In most Muslim weddings, men and women carry out this dance in separate rooms. |
| Many non-Iranian customs have been incorporated into modern Iranian wedding parties. Some of these customs include decorating the wedding car, buying glamorous cakes, and filming the ceremony. Through this combination of Iranian and western wedding traditions, a new and exciting way of celebrating marriage has taken shape in Iran. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| What does the "sini-yeh Aatel va Batel" in the marriage ceremony refer to? |
| This refers to the objects placed on the sofre-ye aghd, which features seven types of seeds and spices. These include poppy, rice, fresh herbs, salt, anise, tea, and frankincense. The salt and frankincense are traditionally used to ward off evil. |
| So listeners, how did you like this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Are there any special traditions associated with marriage ceremonies in your country? |
| Leave us a comment telling us at PersianPod101.com! |
| And I’ll see you in the next lesson! |
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