One of my students invited me to his sister's wedding. I was very honored. He said there were two nights to choose from. The night before the wedding I could come to his parents' home to partake in the festivities with the other women, and/or come to the actual wedding ceremony. He said that he thought the night before at his home would be the most interesting. Unfortunately, this would be on New Year's Day and coupled with the cold I was still recovering from and my New Year's Eve in Dubai, I knew it would be a rough night.
After I returned from Dubai, I headed straight to the mall to find a suitable dress since I was too sick all week to look ahead of time. 3 hours later I found a dress that, according to the pictures my student showed me of dress styles he thought would be appropriate, I was satisfied with.
I got in my car and drove to his house which was completely covered in white lights. My student, Eisa, met me in the driveway and said he loved the dress. It was a spaghetti-strap, white and silver flowing floor-length dress with a silver shawl. The men and women have separate parties, so he went off to his gig and I entered the driveway alone.
He must have texted his mom that I had arrived because she was expecting me. I walked through a threshold and I was greeted by her and several family members. They were very gracious and asked me if I would like henna put on my hands. "Sure!" Why not?" They lead me over to some cushions where two women took each of my hands and decorated them with the traditional henna flowery styles.
Afterwards, I went back and sat down with the other women that were at my table. There were about 100 women total at this party and I was shocked to see most of them dressed in black burquas or abayas and shaylas. Why? I thought they were only worn in public where men might see them. Not in private with a room full of women. Hmmm.
Soon the bride made her entrance in a beautiful, white Lexus. She was dresses from head to toe in a dark green dress and a green veil covering her head. She was lead to a small canopied area by two women where she just sat the whole time. She never came out; just sat there.
I read somewhere that the bride isn't supposed to be seen for 40 days before the wedding and that green is the traditional bridal color. I couldn't find any other information on Emirati wedding traditions.
After I returned from Dubai, I headed straight to the mall to find a suitable dress since I was too sick all week to look ahead of time. 3 hours later I found a dress that, according to the pictures my student showed me of dress styles he thought would be appropriate, I was satisfied with.
I got in my car and drove to his house which was completely covered in white lights. My student, Eisa, met me in the driveway and said he loved the dress. It was a spaghetti-strap, white and silver flowing floor-length dress with a silver shawl. The men and women have separate parties, so he went off to his gig and I entered the driveway alone.
He must have texted his mom that I had arrived because she was expecting me. I walked through a threshold and I was greeted by her and several family members. They were very gracious and asked me if I would like henna put on my hands. "Sure!" Why not?" They lead me over to some cushions where two women took each of my hands and decorated them with the traditional henna flowery styles.
Afterwards, I went back and sat down with the other women that were at my table. There were about 100 women total at this party and I was shocked to see most of them dressed in black burquas or abayas and shaylas. Why? I thought they were only worn in public where men might see them. Not in private with a room full of women. Hmmm.
Soon the bride made her entrance in a beautiful, white Lexus. She was dresses from head to toe in a dark green dress and a green veil covering her head. She was lead to a small canopied area by two women where she just sat the whole time. She never came out; just sat there.
I read somewhere that the bride isn't supposed to be seen for 40 days before the wedding and that green is the traditional bridal color. I couldn't find any other information on Emirati wedding traditions.
The party was set up in the yard and it was pretty chilly. Everyone was given a beautiful shawl as a party favor. I eagerly put mine on to stave away some of the chill. I was taken inside the villa where there a was a room that was displaying the gifts for the bride. WOW! There was diamond jewelry and emeralds. Expensive watches, clothing...all kinds of beautiful and very expensive things. Amazing.
We went back outside where there was a huge buffet of Arabic food and traditional Omani and Emirati dancing and music.
I had a great time, but was so tired at this point. Women had begun to leave by this point, it was around 11:30pm and I had to work in the morning. I headed out glad I was able to partake in the festivities.
The house all lit up!
The bride is sitting in the canopy and never came out.
Traditional Omani dancing. The Emirati "hair dance" was later but didn't get any video.
No comments:
Post a Comment