Its wedding season! We've received a few invites and are getting to know the routine. Last night I went to a portion of the wedding ceremony called the "mahndi". The bride sits in the corner of her parents' home for a little over 36 hours. She keeps her faced covered while relatives apply henna and other spa-like treatments (i.e. ointments and creams and lotions and potions). I don't fully know yet the meaning behind keeping the face covered. Anyway, I walked into the room where she sat not having seen this before. I whispered to Carrie, "Can we talk to her? What are we supposed to do?" I am not so savvy on cultural things at times. The bride heard me and said, "Mary, you can greet me. Now come here and sit with me!" We enjoyed a lovely veiled discussion.
The next day the groom will come and take her back to his home in a procession. And then they will begin their new life together.
2 comments:
so wonderful to hear from you! What a season- weddings. Any more friendly visitors in your kitchen?
SO interesting...I love hearing about what you're learning in the culture and cant wait to come visit (2009???) and try a h-puff!
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