Wedding ceremony something special in Uzbekistan. While having common features, this ceremony still has its specific aspects in various regions and I would like to describe wedding traditions in Tashkent.
When one’s son comes to suitable age for marriage, parents search suitable groom for their son. It’s called arranged marriage. Close relatives, neighbors, friends are involved in this process. If there is suitable girl, aunts by mother or father come to the girl’s house under some excuse, in order to look at her. After this neighbors and friends gather information on the family of chosen girl. In case of positive references, matchmakers are sent. Matchmakers play important role, because they designate day of the wedding
Wedding takes three days. First day, Groom goes to bride’s house and there Imam from mosque reads Hutbai Nikoh (Prayer on Nuptials). Also groom’s family sends gifts to bride’s house, such as rice about 50 kg, carrot, oil, big male sheep and so on. This things as a help for serving palov in the next day. This day also happens Sabzi tugrar-especially male neighbors gather in groom’s house and peel carrot for Palov. In fact, Palov is cooked mainly with carrot, lamb and rice.
Second day, in early morning is served Palov and first guests be prayers. They come after Fajr pray. Palov is made in large bell-mouthed pan, around 400 kg, because many guests come, groom with his friends, as well. Afternoon groom arrives with company of his friends to bride’s house and takes brings bride to his house and there happens wedding party.
Third day, in the morning mainly female neighbors and relatives of groom get together for Kelin Salom. Bride greets all of them. During greeting one woman sings special song.
To sum up with, events that mentioned above are very joyful and favourable occasion for the couple, in order to begin their life according to Uzbek tradition.