“Don’t Cry, O, Bride-To-Be”, As Wedding Traditions Still Prove Effective

Wedding is the most important day for every girl, so a lot of attention is payed for it. Crimean Tatar premarital traditions are of a very ancient origin and maintain traces of all the cultural transformations of the nation; they are bright and colorful and copious.

Female social organisation “Noor” had a themed night called “Ağlama, kelin” (“Don’t cry, o, bride-to-be”) sacramental for Crimean native nation’s pre-marital traditions on September 25.

Female guests could have a look at Crimean Tatar pre-marital traditions in person and also find out how young Crimean Tatars found their match during the past centuries.

As Was Formerly The Case In The Old Days

There were no joint festivals, dancing, parties and chat-ins in the past. One could look out a girl only near the fountains where everybody went for water, and exchange a few words secretly.  At the same time, he couldn’t approach her closely or have a private encounter, as this was a big shame and both of them would suffer living in a fishbowl with their fellow villagers.

Young Crimean Tatar male asked the elders of his family to visit the house of the girl he liked with a marriage proposal. If her parents liked the groom-to-be, they gave their blessings for the marriage. THe final word, however, rested with the girl herself, as Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said  "A woman without a husband (divorced or a widow) must not be married until she is consulted, and a virgin must not be married until her permission is sought. They asked the Prophet of Allah (may peace be upon him): How her (virgin's) consent can be solicited? He (the Prophet) said: That she keeps silence."  (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 008, Number 3303)

After the date is settled both parties begin preparations for the celebration. From this moment on, the couple could meet only in the house of the future wife's parents and only in the presence of her relatives.

“I Want This Kind Of Wedding, Too!”

The guests of the themed night could not only hear interesting stories about marriage traditions of the past, but also see traditional hand-embroidered gifts the future husband and wife exchanged if the result of marriage negotiations was positive.

Young girls and women present at the event enjoyed live Crimean tatar folklore.

One of the guests, Elvina, shared her plans for the future: “Wedding subject to the rulings of the national traditions is so awesome and wonderful! After seeing this, I want this kind of wedding, too!”

“I had a lot of pleasure while attending the event”, — Asie (another visitor)  added — “and I’m looking forward for another themed night.”