Turkey is a land of tremendous richness, and this is reflected in its many beliefs for wedding. In big cities newlyweds have embraced many American marriage beliefs but in remote areas and smaller towns some unique customs https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/Employment/barriers-women also exist.
One of the most crucial turkish marriage traditions is that of asking for the bride’s hand in marriage, known as “kiz isteme”. In this festival, the bridegroom– accompanied by his kids and older friends with gifts– travels to the princess’s community house on a predetermined date and asks for her hand in marriage. The bride’s father can acknowledge the request or demand time to think it over, but if he agrees, bands are exchanged and the handful does marriage.
After the ring exchange the bride is adorned with strings of sparkly tinsel that are traditionally made from silver and are known as “bride’s tinsel”. Single friends and relatives pull on the tinsel, and according to superstitions, whoever has their name pulled first will get married next!
On the day of the wedding a special dish called keskek is prepared for the happy couple. This is a rich and demanding meal that’s commonly served at Turkish weddings and holidays, and the couple women turkey are usually fed by all guests present.
On the bride’s side, a henna night is held where women decorate the hands and feet of the future bride with henna. Henna can also be used to draw faces, names and hearts on the couple’s shoulders and arms.
