In this article, we will examine some of the intriguing bridal customs from the Balkans. It’s unfortunate that many of them are disappearing, but it’s high time we looked into the past to find out how the Ottomans celebrated their union https://hbr.org/2014/08/why-women-dont-apply-for-jobs-unless-theyre-100-qualified.
At an engagement, it was very common for the bride’s community to obtain numerous presents. For instance, she and her female friends would obtain apples, soaps and supporters while the groom and female members of his family were given jerseys, socks, napkins, food and drinks. Many of the provides served as a form of wealth and as a guarantee that the brides had all they needed to begin their lives up.
Wedding planning in the past was also very important. For instance, in the northeast of Serbia, girls and women in her household dating a macedonian girl used to expend decades sewing and embroidering attire, fabric, and cloths for the fresh pair. They may also render various foods to welcome their guests and prepare a particular tree called styag, pryaporetz, feruglitza or a bride emblem rachenik, kouzhel, yabolshnitsa.
Additionally, there were some other intriguing rituals. The comb and plaiting rite, or Kolaanja, is a well-known custom that originated in Kosovo. It’s performed by the girls and is accompanied with specially dedicated melodies. After this the groom is shaved. In some parts of the country, it was also customary to drop a particular symbol at the bride’s and groom’s homes to shield them from bad magic.