Wedding tradition of Kyrgyz people is one of the most important lifetime events.
Usually it is a duty of parents to get marry their sons.
The Kyrgyz wedding ceremonies and traditions took shape over several centuries and were subject to various Soviet and Western influences in the last century. Also, Kyrgyz wedding customs vary by regions. For example, in the south, where Kyrgyzstan neighbors with Uzbekistan, the influence of Uzbek wedding customs is felt.
In old times the parents tried to find a good girl and first of all they tried to find good co parents-in-law, as the Kyrgyz people believe that children are reflection of their parents. Sometimes two families in a very good friendship relationship used to agree on marrying their children to each other in order to tie their friendship even better.
There are many traiditions and rites related to Kyrgyz wedding.
There is a tradition “soiko saluu” (wear earrings), when the parents find a suitable girl, they wear earrings to her even if they are small children. When the children grow up they will marry or sometimes not.
Nowadays, parents living in cities have begun to conduct “kyz uzatuu” (farewell ceremony) to see off their daughter in restaurants. The vast majority of the relatives of the bride’s parents are invited to kyz uzatuu, because mainly the groom’s relatives and friends are invited to the main wedding. This phenomenon is becoming more and more frequent as there are more and more people willing to take part in the main wedding party.
Wedding ceremonies are currently held in large restaurants with a capacity of at least 600 people or more.
On average, weddings in Kyrgyzstan are attended by about 250-300 people.
After the bride steps the groom’s house the Muslim rite of nikah (Muslim marriage) is obligatory before the wedding. For that moldo (mullah) comes and reads a prayer and asks a couple whether they agree to marry each other. Parents of the groom and eyewintnesses attend the nikah ceremony.
Then the groom’s side organize a wedding party. Most people prefer to organize a wedding parties in a restaurant or café by inviting a lot of guests.
Nowadays newlyweds dress up in more traditional clothes of Western style, after the wedding ceremony some women wear scarf on the head.
There is also tradition “kalym” (ransom), when the groom’s side pay ransom to the bride’s side. The sum of kalym varies in every region and depends of wealthy of parents.
In response, the bride’s family prepares “sep” (dowry) for their daughter. Nowadays, the dowry includes new clothes, blankets, pillows, carpets, furniture, and home appliances.
One more interesting tradition related to Kyrgyz wedding is “otko kirgizuu”, when the family of a girl need to invite their daughter with her husband and his parents to their house. Until that she can’t visit her parent’s house.
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