First of all, you need to get the consent of the bride's parents. To do this, a delegation from the groom's side, in the person of the father, uncle and older brothers, pays a friendly visit to the house of the potential bride. In Ukraine, there is an interesting custom, how to explain concisely and clearly with matchmakers. In case of a categorical refusal, the relatives of the failed groom receive a pumpkin (garbuz), as a symbol of failure. Hence the old Ukrainian proverb — "I would not get a garbuz".
Matchmakers come to the bride's house with a symbolic gift — a loaf of fresh bread or a loaf. Bread is a kind of symbol of good harmony between future relatives. They put it on the table, sit down and start a conversation. Usually the oldest and most respected relative speaks: father or uncle. After a pleasant conversation, if the matchmakers are happy in the house, a new stage of matchmaking begins. The young bride must show her favor to the guests. To do this, the girl takes a knife, cuts the loaf in half, saying the old ritual words: "I cut this bread to give you my vow, and you will accept me as your child."
Then, on a specially prepared embroidered snow-white towel, slices of cut bread are solemnly laid out. This means a positive response to the joyful matchmakers, and therefore they turn to the young woman with a response ritual remark: "Thank you to the red girl, that the towel was embroidered with such a cassock." At this point, the first and most important stage is successfully completed with the agreement on the date of the viewing and engagement. And ahead of the newlyweds are waiting for other rituals and exciting events related to the Ukrainian wedding.
At the showings of the Ukrainian wedding celebration, matchmakers should behave decorously and be friendly towards future relatives. During the ceremony, the young bride carefully cares for the potential mother-in-law and father-in-law. With a bow, he serves national dishes: pies, dumplings, chanezhki, prepared with his own hands. All the efforts of the girl are aimed at creating a positive image in front of dear guests.
The engagement before the Ukrainian wedding is an equally exciting stage. Outside witnesses are already present here, so that the solemn moment will be recorded forever. It is simply not possible to refuse to marry young people after this. Young newlyweds are tied with a towel-towel, a sign of strong marriage ties. The legalized bride presents her mother-in-law and father-in-law with symbolic gifts: embroidered shawls, national shirts, patterned towels.
Before the wedding celebration, the girl should say goodbye to the carefree youth and enter into a serious adult life. To do this, we invite bosom friends and sisters, companions of happy youth. According to the tradition of the Ukrainian wedding, the ritual takes place in the bath. It includes the following moments:
Girls with sad songs bathe the bride, comb her long hair.
The newlywed in response sings a farewell song-a cry for childhood.
A young girl weaves a kind of amulet of a happy married life. On the twig, which will then become a mandatory decoration of the wedding table of the young, bright colorful ribbons are imposed.
There are many rituals that can be performed at a wedding, depending on the traditions of a particular family. But the most important thing that is present at all weddings so far is the bride price.
The rite of redemption of the bride by the groom is present in almost all national wedding traditions. However, the Ukrainian people complicate this task a little. On the appointed date of the wedding, the elegant groom goes on a journey for his happiness, that is, he marches to the house of the betrothed. On the way to the bride, numerous relatives, friends and acquaintances try to meet the lad and demand a ransom. The groom presents all passers-by with coins, sweets and beautiful handkerchiefs.
Directly in the bride's house, the father-in-law and his relatives arrange difficult tests for the future husband to see what kind of son-in-law is the owner, how he is physically developed. For example, a guy may be offered to harness a horse or lift some household goods. During the test, the groom must be asked funny questions. Thus, the relatives test him for intelligence, mental abilities.
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