Traditions and customs of a Georgian wedding

Georgia is a beautiful country in which friendly and disinterested people live, a country of traditions, unearthly beauty and good mood.

Georgians, like no other, respect and value the traditions and rites of their country, their people. Many of them have been around for decades and are passed down from generation to generation.

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

A real Georgian wedding ceremony, Gaumardzhos, is necessarily held according to certain canons and rules requiring 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 all heard about the hospitality of Georgians. And they decided to invite absolutely all relatives from both sides to the wedding. No one refused the invitation. Everyone wants to share their joy and happiness with the young and are afraid to offend loved ones by refusing not to go. Following this tradition, the Georgian wedding continues to gather an incredible number of people.

The wedding night of the newlyweds ended with the mother-in-law putting on display a bed sheet to prove that the daughter-in-law retained her virginity before the wedding. If suddenly this was not so, she was put out of the house with shame.

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

Celebrating was taken in the house of one of the young.

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

The main stages:

• machankloba - matchmaking;
• nishnoba - the rite of betrothal;
• triumph.

I would like to examine in detail all these points in order to understand at least a little the culture of the country, to imbue with respect for traditions and to admire the people.

Earlier in Georgia, it was customary to betroth their children, who had not even left their infancy. So did the parents who wanted to be related to some kind of family. In most cases, this was done forcibly. Very often the first meeting place of the groom and the bride was their own wedding.

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

This also applies to matchmaking. In this we are very similar. To make an offer, ask for hands and hearts, the groom and his relatives go to the house of the future wife, where her parents meet him. Usually, everything happens at a chic table, accompanied by a feast. Relatives of the groom "sing praises to him", indicating his good and positive sides. After the bride has to give her consent or refuse.

If the bride said yes, the celebration continues and gradually moves into the house of the groom.

When the matchmaking phase is over, the guy and girl officially receive the status of the bride and groom. Next, the second stage follows - betrothal. This rite is usually carried out in the house where the bride lives with her family.

At the table, young people are sitting nearby. It all starts with a toast that the groom’s father says. He must bear happiness and admiration for the fact that two families will merge into one.

A wedding day is assigned. Be sure to discuss all the moments of the coming triumph - the venue, financial moments. The question of how to organize everything is of great importance, since many people walk at the wedding. There is also a tradition that requires - it is up to the husband to decide.

It is at the betrothal stage that another very important ritual takes place, which is already many years old. It implies giving the groom's family gifts for the bride.

Mandatory gifts:

• gold jewelry (often they are transmitted from their ancestors);
• new clothes;
• expensive wine or brandy;
• sweets;
• flowers
• the groom gives his beloved a wedding ring (and the bride to the chosen one).

The most important is the wedding rite, which takes place in the church before the celebration, celebration. Having received the blessing, the newly made couple should pass under the arch, which was formed from the daggers by the comrades of the groom. The arch is a charm for a new family, which serves as their protection.

After, 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 a new home - her husband.

And here you can not do without interesting Georgian traditions.

Here they are:

• the touch of the new mistress of the house to the boiler, the fireplace - the symbol of the hearth;
• relatives of the groom before entering the house of the daughter-in-law, install a pot of oil and it must pass 3 times near it;
• a tree is a symbol of life, therefore it is customary to give gifts from a tree for a housewarming party;
• while the wife goes around all the rooms in the house, the husband sits on the roof of his house and must let out a 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 holiday clothes for this occasion, traditions and customs are necessarily taken into account.

The bride’s outfit is bought by the groom. It consists of two components. A shirt with a collar - a symbol of purity and purity - is the bottom. Next is a gorgeous dress, white or black with wide cuts on the sleeves.

The groom's wedding outfit is a snow-white shirt with a stand-up collar, a cloak of light or dark color. The cloak is sheathed in gold satin. According to tradition, the groom put on a belt, but did not take weapons. Legs were shod in leather boots.

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

• all kinds of cheeses;
• fruits vegetables;
• soups - the main food at the wedding;
• Kababi, Ajapsandal;
• Satsivi, Kusmachi;
• tolma, chikhirtma;
• the presence of a large amount of greenery;
• sweets.

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

A must-have element, without which no event takes place, especially a Georgian wedding - a toast. Each of them is dedicated to the young, filled with deep meaning and very valuable.

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

It should be noted that everyone’s favorite “bitterly” at the Georgian wedding will not sound. This is due to the fact that it’s not customary for them to kiss in public.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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