The Punjabi Sunni
Muslim matrimonials resemble most of the Indian matrimonial ceremonies.
Having migrated to Punjab centuries ago from Kashmir, there is
vast similarity in the tradition, customs, food habits and dressing
to the Indian community. The Punjabi Sunni Muslim matrimonial
alliance ceremonies are very exotic like the food that is served
during the feasts.
The Punjabi Sunni Muslim wedding celebrations are very colourful
and spell the passion for custom and tradition. Their pre - matrimonial
rituals begin well in advance to the actual wedding, and are laced
by songs and dancing.
The first step in a Punjabi Sunni Muslim matrimonial alliance
is the ‘Mangni’. This is like the engagement that
is performed at the beginning of every Indian matrimonial alliance.
The offer for the engagement involves the boy’s family asking
for the girl’s hand. Once the rishta (offer) is accepted,
the elders of both the families decide on a suitable date for
the actual matrimonial ritual.
The groom then arrives to the bride’s house accompanied
by young girls who are dressed in traditional finery and clothes.
This is done to mark the acceptance of the matrimonial alliance.
Clay pots containing herbal oil, uptan (a paste of turmeric, sandalwood
powder and herbs) and mehendi, are carried by these girls. Diyas
or oil lamps are lit upon these clay pots. It is very interesting
to note that in this pre - matrimonial ritual, the engagement
ring is slipped on to the girl’s finger by her future mother-in-law
and not the groom. The bride also receives the finest of jewelry
of intrinsic design along with several sets of clothes and other
accessories. In very well to do Punjabi Sunni Muslim families,
diamond jewelry is essentially gifted to the girl, and the groom
is allowed to slip on the engagement ring on to the girl’s
finger.
The groom then receives a suitcase full of clothes, gifts and
other accessories as a return gesture. Song and dance follows,
further enlivening the matrimonial alliance that has just begun.
The preparations for the actual matrimonial day begin with gusto
and the bride now begins to gather her matrimonial trousseau.
The collection officially begins with the ‘Jora Katai’.
The womenfolk of the bride’s family gather at the house
and it is here that a tailor cuts the first garment for the trousseau.
This pre - matrimonial ritual of the Punjabi Sunni Muslim community
takes place weeks before the wedding. The evening is graced by
the men folk playing the dholak (drums). Once again song and dance,
dictate the scene.
Two days before the wedding, the Punjabi Sunni Muslim community
has a ‘Haldi’ ceremony. This pre - matrimonial ceremony
is to beautify the bride and the groom. While the older women
are applying herbal oil on the bride’s hair, Uptan is being
applied on her body. This pre - matrimonial ceremony is followed
by a ritual bath. Simultaneously, the groom undergoes the same,
but a simpler ritual at his house.
