Azerbaijani wedding traditions

[1][2] Ancient Azerbaijani weddings reflect cycles of traditions, lasting for a long period of time, and need significant material costs.

[1] A formal wedding procedure begins with acceptance of consent of the bride's parents (“söz kəsmək”) and continues after an independent decision about the marriage is made.

Earlier, the tradition required repeated “refusals” for a variety of reasons, but later this was considerably simplified.

Evil spirits, frightened of the pin made of iron, did not have enough courage to leave the home and accompany the matchmaker going to the bride's house.

After the father decides to give his daughter for marriage, the groom entertains his new relatives with tea and sweeties in the bride's house.

If the girl's father agrees to marry his daughter off, then first of all the groom should entertain and sweeties to his new relatives in the bride's house, which is called the tradition.

Religious registration of the marriage (Azerbaijani: Kəbin Kəsmək) is held several days before the wedding with the participation of witnesses from both sides.

[6] A guaranteed sum (“mehr”) is written into the marriage contract (“kebin kagizi”) (Azerbaijani: Kəbin kağızı).

The aim of this tradition is to provide the young couple with all necessities at the beginning of their life together, which is why the dowry includes furniture, dishes and articles of domestic utility.

The “henna smearing” has different names in different districts of Azerbaijan: in Shaki the ceremony is called “the bride's feast”; in Tovuz the ceremony is the “demonstration of the girl”; in Masalli and Lenkeran the events are known as “gathering at the girl's”; in Guba the reference is “henna smearing” and in Absheron this is the “hennanane”.

According to tradition, on the night of “henna smearing”, the groom came to the bride's house for “toy payi” (wedding portion) and took sheep and a hen, giving gifts and money in return.

According to the tradition, it is appropriate to steal “toy payi”, but in the 1980s the wedding portion was prepared in advance and given to the groom.

[8] A ceremony called “uze çıxdı”, symbolizing the end of “absence” period, is held a few days after the wedding.

[9] In the past, according to the tradition, the bride didn't overstep the limits of a yard room for a month after the wedding.

After the “uze chixdi” ceremony, the nearest relatives of the bride (except mother and father) and the groom get together in his house, greet the newlyweds, and present them with valuable gifts or money.

"The Toastmaster's Unwritten Rule Book: Guide for Foreign Guests Who Frequent Azerbaijani Parties" in Azerbaijan International, Vol.