Custom and usage of henna (Mehndi):
Henna is practice which has become habitual with the members of a
particular social group and passes current with them. The majority
follower of this custom is Pakistan and India (Muslim, Hindu, Sikh).
Henna is an event of wedding and people celebrate it according to their
practice, this is not for the brides and groom but also for their
relatives. People apply designs on their hands and for brides on their
hands and feet.Henna is a practice of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in Muslim
countries and for Muslims. For others it is a custom. There are some
beliefs of henna that if henna becomes dark red, the mother in law will
love her or groom will love her very much.
Mehndi the Henna ceremony, or the Rasm-e-henna ceremony, typically
takes place one or two days prior to the main wedding day. The event is
traditionally held separately for the bride and the groom The henna is
symbolically placed on the couple's hands. The groom's friends and
family bring along sweets and henna for the bride, and the bride's
family does the same for the groom. On the bride's ceremony, the groom
normally does not participate and similarly, on the groom's event the
bride stays at home. Female guests are sometimes offer mehndi at the
host's discretion.
Traditionally, since there were separate functions for both the bride
and the groom, the groom's function was called 'Tael' (oil) where
female guests put some oil into the groom's hair. With the ceremony now
held simultaneously for both the groom and the bride, the use of the
term 'tael' has diminished greatly. In some cases, the entire ceremony
is instead referred to as "Tael Mehndi" (Oil and Henna) ceremony.
The bride normally wears a green dress or yellows/orange for the
Henna celebration and uses only light, or mostly, no make-up. The groom
will typically wear a casual Shalwar Qameez. The bride and/or the groom
are brought forward in the ceremony under a decorative dupatta by their
close relatives. In the bridal ceremony, a certain number of married
women who are closely related to the bride apply henna to her hands, and
feed her sweets. This ritual is supposed to bring good luck and
longevity to the bride's married life. Similarly, on the groom's side,
oil is applied to his head and sweets are fed to the groom.
A song competition also occurs in the Rasme Henna or Mehndi
celebrations between the bride and groom's side. Young women and men
will sing teasing songs about the other side (where the bride's side
pokes good natured fun at the groom's side and vice versa) and try to
compete in this ritual sing song. Sometimes elaborate musical and acting
performances are part of the Mehndi celebrations. Elaborate dance
sequences and competitions between the bride and groom's families are
also quite common these days.
Traditionally, the Mehendi was considered a women's event and men did
not participate in it. The sing song etc. was left almost entirely to
women. However, this has changed substantially in recent times with
males featuring prominently in the Mehndi celebrations as well. A recent
trend gaining popularity is to announce a color theme for the mehndi
whereby guests are supposed to dress up in a particular color. Commonly
used colors are bright reds, oranges and yellows.
Custom and usage of henna (Mehndi):
Henna is practice which has become habitual with the members of a
particular social group and passes current with them. The majority
follower of this custom is Pakistan and India (Muslim, Hindu, Sikh).
Henna is an event of wedding and people celebrate it according to their
practice, this is not for the brides and groom but also for their
relatives. People apply designs on their hands and for brides on their
hands and feet.Henna is a practice of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in Muslim
countries and for Muslims. For others it is a custom. There are some
beliefs of henna that if henna becomes dark red, the mother in law will
love her or groom will love her very much.
Mehndi the Henna ceremony, or the Rasm-e-henna ceremony, typically
takes place one or two days prior to the main wedding day. The event is
traditionally held separately for the bride and the groom The henna is
symbolically placed on the couple's hands. The groom's friends and
family bring along sweets and henna for the bride, and the bride's
family does the same for the groom. On the bride's ceremony, the groom
normally does not participate and similarly, on the groom's event the
bride stays at home. Female guests are sometimes offer mehndi at the
host's discretion.
Traditionally, since there were separate functions for both the bride
and the groom, the groom's function was called 'Tael' (oil) where
female guests put some oil into the groom's hair. With the ceremony now
held simultaneously for both the groom and the bride, the use of the
term 'tael' has diminished greatly. In some cases, the entire ceremony
is instead referred to as "Tael Mehndi" (Oil and Henna) ceremony.
The bride normally wears a green dress or yellows/orange for the
Henna celebration and uses only light, or mostly, no make-up. The groom
will typically wear a casual Shalwar Qameez. The bride and/or the groom
are brought forward in the ceremony under a decorative dupatta by their
close relatives. In the bridal ceremony, a certain number of married
women who are closely related to the bride apply henna to her hands, and
feed her sweets. This ritual is supposed to bring good luck and
longevity to the bride's married life. Similarly, on the groom's side,
oil is applied to his head and sweets are fed to the groom.
A song competition also occurs in the Rasme Henna or Mehndi
celebrations between the bride and groom's side. Young women and men
will sing teasing songs about the other side (where the bride's side
pokes good natured fun at the groom's side and vice versa) and try to
compete in this ritual sing song. Sometimes elaborate musical and acting
performances are part of the Mehndi celebrations. Elaborate dance
sequences and competitions between the bride and groom's families are
also quite common these days.
Traditionally, the Mehendi was considered a women's event and men did
not participate in it. The sing song etc. was left almost entirely to
women. However, this has changed substantially in recent times with
males featuring prominently in the Mehndi celebrations as well. A recent
trend gaining popularity is to announce a color theme for the mehendi
whereby guests are supposed to dress up in a particular color. Commonly
used colors are bright reds, oranges and yellows.
Bridal Showers(Mayon)
Bridal Showers (Mayon) is a gathering held for the bride-to-be who is
showered with gifts and blessings by close relatives and friends.
Planning a bridal shower is full of fun. The bridal shower ideas run
around what the bride-to-be likes.Bridal shower theme parties are highly
enjoyable and people can work out numerous themes and activities to
make it a memorable event. Here are some bridal shower themes:
‘Pink for girls’ can be a good theme. The party room can be
decorated with different items that are pink color. The windows can be
covered with pink curtains. Vases with pink flowers (especially roses)
can be placed at all the corners. The dress code for the ladies should
be a pink outfit. One can arrange for a strawberry cake to be placed on a
table at the centre of the room. Gifts for the bride should be wrapped
in a pink colored gift paper. A large sized greeting card autographed by
the invitees can be presented to the bride-to-be along with a big
floral bouquet.
Colorful lights and candles for decoration can be an ideal theme for a
cool evening.A warm welcome of the bride-to-be, by showering rose
petals will be a great surprise. The presence of some close friends or
relatives whom the would-be bride has not met since long will be a grand
surprise to her. ‘Styles and fashions’ theme – organize a variety of
accessories like nail paints, eye shadows, lipsticks and other
cosmetics. The invitees need to come for the party in an outfit, the
theme of which is pre decided. The girls can help each other with the
make-up and other accessories for hair styles. A fashion show can be set
for fun with a light music in the background.Good old childhood days
are the most unforgettable! Decorating the venue with soft toys and
dolls, placing bowls filled with chocolates and toffees will be a
memorable theme.
Light snacks can be arranged to munch around during the party.
Pastries, Sandwiches, Fries, toppings etc are some of the delightful
munchies for the girls to enjoy. Cold drinks, fruit juices and cocktails
etc will be good enough in addition to the eatables.Activities add more
enthusiasm to the party. Gift wrapping competition can be organized.
Invitees should wrap the gift in the most creative way to be the
winner.Activities for a bridal shower can have competitions like
greeting card making with an innovative message for the Bride-to-be.The
bride’s chair can be decorated with satin ribbons and flowers. Cushions
can be placed all around to make the guests comfortable.
The invitation card for bridal shower can be designed as per the
theme and the activities planned. The card can be of the following
shapes: wedding bells, wedding cake, bridal gown, floral bouquet etc.
Flowers made from colorful craft papers can be used to decorate the
invitation cards.Take away gifts, as a token of the event, can be
planned for the guests. It may be an attractive show piece, a coffee mug
with a ‘Thank you’ message, a small carton of sweets or a bunch of
fresh roses.Bridal showers are one of the events in ones life that leave
a long lasting memory in the years to come. Creative themes and ideas
make such events unforgettable for lifetime.
Mayoon or Mayon in Pakistan:
Mayoon or mayun is celebrated at the bride's house. Usually the
bride's friends and close relatives get together at her house to dance
and sing, often accompanied by drum music. Generally, the bride's family
give bangles and sometimes clothes to her friends, depending on what
the family can afford. The evening also usually includes a henna where
the women decorate each others' hands with Henna. The mayoon can last up
to late night. The bride usually wears a simple yellow Shalwar Kameez.
Traditionally, Mayun meant the custom of the bride entering into the
state of seclusion eight to fifteen days before the wedding. She is made
free of all the chores and errands during this time. However, since
most women work in present times, Mayun has been reduced to a single
night celebration of singing, dancing and applying Ubtan to the bride.
The bride and groom are not allowed to see each other after the Mayun
begins.
The beautification rituals begin during this time, such as the
application of Ubtan. Ubtan is a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood
powder, herbs and aromatic oils, which groom's mother brings for bride.
She blesses bride and applies “ubtan’ to the bride's hands and face.
Groom's sister also does the same, and a thick string called a “gana" (
Bangles made of Flowers) is tied to the bride’s arm. “Ubtan” is applied
to the bride's skin each day leading up to the wedding. It was supposed
to encourage a glowing, fresh complexion for the wedding day.
Wedding Ceremony:
Wedding is a new start of life with someone, with hopes and trust.
Wedding ceremony is celebrated with full of joy and according to the
customs of people. on this occasion people want this day to be most
beautiful day of their life and spends lots of money on their customs
and arrange great meal t and all the relatives, friends and neighbor
invited to celebrate their joy. people used to invited by Invitation
cards.
A Wedding (Shaadi) is when the bride's reception formally takes
place. The event takes place at the bride's house where large wedding
tents may be set up in the garden or a nearby place. It has also become
very common to hold the event in a marriage hall or hotel. The bride's
family is responsible for the reception and arrangements of the day.
The barat or grooms procession indicates the arrival of the groom's
family and friends to the bride's house. The barat is often accompanied
by the rhythms of a dhol (drum) as it arrives and is greeted with
flowers and rose petals by the bride's family. It is customary for the
bride's sisters and friends to stop the barat from entering the arena
until a sufficient amount of cash is given to them. This can lead to
bantering, but usually harmless and just for fun, between the bride's
sisters and friends on one side and the groom's brothers and friends on
the other side.
The bride traditionally wears a red,pink or purple gharara, lehenga
or shalwar kameez which is heavily embroidered. However, other bright
colors may also be worn. The dress is always accompanied with heavy gold
jewellery. The groom may wear a traditional dress such as sherwani with
a sehra or turban though some may prefer to wear a western inspired
suit.The nikah is the Islamic marriage contract ceremony. It either
takes place at the Shaadi itself or on a separate day at the bride's
house, before the shaadi event.
It is performed by an imam which formally indicates signing of the
marriage contract. The bride and groom must both have two witnesses
present to ensure that the marriage is consensual.A dinner is served
which consists of several dishes with meat featuring heavily in the
meal. Some of the well represented dishes serve in a wedding meal.
Reception Party or Walima:
The next day after the marriage the groom holds a grand feast called
reception party or Walima. Relatives,friends and neighbours are invited
it's a way to announce to others about the new marriage.
Walima is the final day of the wedding held by couple as they host
their first dinner as husband and wife. The groom's family invites all
of the bride's family and their guests to their home for a feast at
their home or a marriage hall. The walima is typically the most festive
event of the wedding ceremony and intends to publicize the marriage.
The bride wears a heavily decorated dress with gold jewelry provided
by the groom's family. Typical color palettes are green or pastel
shades.