Five Elements of Bangladesh Weddings
Unlike Toronto marriage ceremonies, matchmakers known as Ghotoks, who are normally relatives or friends of both the couple's families, arrange Bangladesh traditional weddings. These matchmakers facilitate any settlements between the couple. This is where the introduction of the couple to each other is facilitated. By far the most populous in Bangladeshi population who have Bangladesh traditional weddings are the Bengalis tribe. The event takes place in five essential elements; firstly is the groom and bride's Mehendi Shondha, Gaye Holud for the bride, Gaye Holud for the groom, the Beeya, and finally the Bou Bhaat. Held during separate days, they are a mixture of formal and informal ceremonies. Increasingly gaining popularity, the initial ceremony is informal, where the bride is presented by the groom with a ring, which marks their engagement.
Ceremonies before the Wedding
During the Mehendi Shondha, the bridal party applies henna on each other, including the bride. This is done for the groom's family, when in the Gaye Holud; the groom's family proceeds in a march to the home of the bride's family. Just like Toronto weddings, the groom is not present in this procession. This convoy traditionally revolves around the bride's younger friends and relatives, who are all wearing matching traditional outfits that are mostly orange. The henna applied to the bride is in intricate and abstract designs, upon her feet and hands. The bride sits on a dais, where all involved feed her with sweets, gradually. Following the events of Gaye Holud, the actual Bangladesh traditional weddings or Beeye, is held. The arrangement of this marriage ceremony is conducted by the family of the bride. On the day of the Bangladesh traditional weddings, the younger bridal family members barricade the venue's entrance and demand an admission offering from the groom for letting him into the venue, following which he proceeds to sit separately from the bride. This is so that a government approved wedding authorizer, known as a Kazi, accompanied by witnesses (Wakil) and the parents of the bride and groom ask the groom and bride respectively for their consents to the wedding. Just like Toronto weddings, they also hold reception parties. The reception called Bou Bhaat, is facilitated by the family of the groom as a return gesture for the wedding ceremony, and features a more relaxed atmosphere, and at which different ceremonial attire is worn.
Traditional Wedding Feasts
Feasts for the guests are essential features of Bangladesh traditional weddings. Just like Toronto weddings, guests bring with them gifts for the couple. Depending on the resources of the parents of the couple, guests may range from fifty to five thousand, with wedding menus featuring sweets such as payesh and zarda, salads, spiced yoghurt's burhani, biryani made of chicken and mutton, mutton rezala, roast chicken, and beef kebab. The Hindu ceremonies consist of menus including sweetened yoghurt, castrated goat meat's curry, fish curry, vegetable dishes, and plain rice. In some areas such as Chittagong, these feasts can last for days. Unlike Toronto ceremonies, bride price, or dowry is payable in both Muslim and Hindu communities, and a dearth of good brides and grooms determine which family should pay dowry and which side should receive it, and how much it should be.
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