Traditions and customs of a Georgian wedding

Georgia is a wonderful country in which hospitable and selfless people live, a country of traditions, unearthly beauty and good mood.

Georgians, like no one else, respect and value the traditions and rituals of their country, their people. Many of them have existed for more than a decade and are passed down from generation to generation.

The festivities are held according to clear rules. Such a holiday is a traditional Georgian wedding. It can rightfully be called one of the brightest events, as well as an example of age-old and extraordinary wedding traditions.

A real Georgian wedding ceremony, Gaumarjos, necessarily takes place according to certain canons and rules that require a clear organization.

Previously, there was a custom when the groom could steal his bride. Do not be surprised, this is possible in the modern world. The tradition has not disappeared, however, it is most often practiced in remote mountain villages.

We have all heard about the hospitality of Georgians. And it is customary for them to invite absolutely all relatives from both sides to the wedding. Nobody refused the invitation. Everyone wants to share their joy and happiness with the young and are afraid to offend their loved ones by refusing to go. Following this tradition, Georgian weddings continue to gather an incredible number of people.

The first wedding night of the newlyweds ended with the mother-in-law exposing the sheet from the bed to everyone to prove that the daughter-in-law had kept her virginity before the wedding. If suddenly this was not the case, she was expelled from the house in shame.

None of those present at the wedding could see how the bride eats, so it is customary to put only sweets on the table of the young.

It was customary to celebrate in the house of one of the young people.

Georgian wedding custom consists of several stages and lasts for several days.

Main stages:

• machankloba - matchmaking;
• nishnoba - the betrothal ceremony;
• celebration.

I would like to consider in detail all these moments in order to understand at least a little the culture of the country, imbued with reverence for traditions and admire the people.

Earlier in Georgia, it was customary to betrothed their children, who had not even left infancy. This is what parents did when they wanted to be related to a family. In most cases, this was done forcibly. Very often, the first meeting place for the bride and groom was their own wedding.

In the modern world, of course, everyone already chooses their own destiny, but nothing happens without parental consent.

This also applies to matchmaking. In this we are very similar. To propose, ask for a hand and heart, the groom and his relatives go to the house of the future wife, where he is met by her parents. Usually everything happens at a chic table, accompanied by a feast. The groom's relatives "sing praises to him", pointing out his good and positive sides. After that, the bride must give her consent or refuse.

If the bride says yes, the celebration continues and gradually moves to the groom's house.

When the matchmaking stage is over, the boy and girl officially receive the status of bride and groom. Further, the second stage follows - the betrothal. It is customary to carry out this ceremony in the house where the bride lives with her family.

At the table, the young are sitting side by side. It all starts with a toast, which is said by the groom's father. He should bring happiness and admiration that two families will merge into one.

The wedding day is appointed. All the moments of the upcoming celebration itself are sure to be discussed - the venue, financial issues. The question of how to organize everything is of great importance, since a lot of people are walking at the wedding. There is also a tradition that requires - the husband's side decides.

It is at the stage of the betrothal that another very important ritual takes place, which is already many years old. It means that the groom's family gives gifts to the bride.

Mandatory gifts:

• gold jewelry (often passed on from ancestors);
• new clothes;
• expensive wine or cognac;
• sweets;
• flowers;
• the groom gives his chosen one a wedding ring (and the bride to the chosen one).

The most important is the wedding ceremony, which takes place in the church before the start of the celebration. Having received the blessing, the newly-made spouses must pass under the arch, which was formed from the daggers by the groom's comrades. Arch is a talisman for a new family, which serves as their protection.

After that, in the registry office, the official part takes place and the young receive a marriage certificate. At the end of the formalities, the wife goes to her husband's new home.

And here one cannot do without interesting Georgian traditions.

Here they are:

• the touch of the new mistress of the house to the boiler, fireplace - a symbol of the hearth;
• the groom's relatives, before the daughter-in-law comes to the house, install a pot of oil and she must walk around him 3 times;
• a tree is a symbol of life, therefore, it is customary to give gifts made of wood for housewarming;
• while the wife goes around all the rooms in the house, the husband sits on the roof of his house and has to release the white dove;
• to attract health and wealth, when a girl walks around the house, she is sprinkled with raisins, rice and wheat;
• for the sweetness of speeches, it is customary for the bride to smear her lips with honey.

When choosing festive clothes for such an occasion, traditions and customs must be taken into account.

The groom buys the outfit for the bride. It consists of two components. A shirt with a collar - a symbol of purity and purity - is the bottom part. Next - a chic dress, white or black with wide slits on the sleeves.

The groom's wedding attire is a snow-white shirt with a stand-up collar, a light or dark raincoat. The cloak is trimmed with gold satin. According to tradition, the groom put on a belt, but did not take up a weapon. The legs were shod with leather boots.

Kotsili - this is how the feast sounds from the lips of a Georgian. Considering the large number of guests invited, the tables are full of exquisite dishes. Most often, at a Georgian wedding feast, you can find traditional Georgian dishes:

• all kinds of cheeses;
• fruits vegetables;
• soups are the main food at a wedding;
• kababi, ajapsandal;
• satsivi, kusmachi;
• tolma, chikhirtma;
• the presence of a large amount of greenery;
• sweets.

There is a lot of alcohol on the tables. Georgians prefer wine or cognac of good aging, which has been stored for such a case for many years.

An obligatory element, one without which no event takes place, especially a Georgian wedding, is a toast. Each of them is dedicated to young people, filled with deep meaning and very valuable.

Toastmaster is also required. He will not miss any of the relatives during the congratulations, and, most likely, he himself is relatives of one of the families. Toastmaster pours wine into a huge horn. The guest who is given the floor must say a toast and drain the horn completely.

It should be noted that everyone's favorite "bitter" will not sound at a Georgian wedding. This is due to the fact that it is not customary for them to kiss in public.

At the end of the feast, the young people cut the birthday cake. The most respected and honored guest at the celebration gets the first piece.

The walk can continue until dawn. Newlyweds leave earlier, because they have more important things to do.

The next day, the guests converge again and continue the celebration at the festive table. And so it lasts for several days.

An unforgettable and amazing sight - Georgian dances. Without them, a Georgian wedding simply cannot be imagined. Only the best dancers are invited. It is impossible to take your eyes off the courageous horsemen and beautiful sophisticated girls.

The bride circles in a dance only with her betrothed or relatives. The dance of the young is always very romantic and full of warm and tender feelings. The moment comes when the bride dances her solo dance. This is something that can enchant all guests at the festive table.

Not a single feast goes by without songs. It should be noted that UNESCO recognized Georgian songs as a unique phenomenon in world culture. At the wedding, the singers of the songs are exclusively men.

Very often these are whole ensembles, up to 15 or more people. Their polyphony sounds amazing and touches the very heart.

Guests do not skimp on gifts. It is customary to give expensive and good things. Anonymity is not encouraged, you need to sign your gift. There are so-called generic books in Georgian families. It is in such a book that the wedding field records all wedding gifts. The most generous guests receive the status of honored guests.

About Georgian wedding - traditions, dances, songs and toasts, see the next video.