ALL
beseeching
ICH Elements 2
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Traditional wedding ceremonies of different Mongolian ethnic groups
The customs associated with the wedding ceremonies of various ethnic groups differ from each other according to their own distinctiveness of culture and lifestyle. Borjigin, Bayad, Dörvöd, Zakhchin, Torguud, Ööld, Myangad, Khoton and Kazakh ethnic groups all conduct their wedding feasts following their own strict rituals or manners. Although in general, the traditional wedding ceremony of Mongolia is comprised of several proceedings including beseeching a bride, taking a betrothal gift to the bride-side, preparing for a wedding, undertaking the wedding ceremony, and holding the ceremonies after the wedding.
Mongolia -
Custom of beseeching a bride
The custom of beseeching a bride starts with sending two individuals on white horses as matchmakers to ride to the family of the chosen woman to be a bride. When matchmakers reach the bride’s family and offer an honorable scarf to the father of bride saying to him, as “we have a deer hunter, you have a dove tailor of sables”. Parents of the chosen woman return the matchmakers with a reply that the decision shall be made upon consulting among their relatives. After a few days, the father with his son to be a groom and a special someone ride on to the parents of a woman to be a bride. They bring along the present to the parents of the bride. Once they arrive, the father of the son offers honorary silk scarf to the father of a bride. The second visit is to hear for their consent and decide the wedding day.
Mongolia