Culture & Heritage

Social  Events &Festivals

Marriage

Marriage is another important event  which is celebrated with great joy. The marriage involves different sub-events and ceremonies as below:

Jumuth Chilguk (Engagement)

During olden time marriages of both boys and girls were made on very earlier age but now with modernization and education it is practiced mostly above 20 years of age. During olden time marriages were arranged on choice of parents but now both male and females are asked about their favor before engagements. In between engagement and marriage mostly the couples are not allowed to meet with each other. Marriages were generally held in November and December after ending of major farming activities. However, nowadays every one arrange it according to their own convenience.

The male parents/relatives approaches the females parents/relatives to inform them and initiate dialogue. This process may last for months or years and during this period the male parents/relatives visit female parents for many time (usually 2-5 time). The females prepares special bread putok to take while visiting the female family This part ends with yes or no from female side. If yes then both families set a date for Putuk Kitak.

Putuk Kitak (Confirming the Engagement)

This part starts after yes from female side to confirm the engagement. During this event the parents/relatives of male visit the female house and sprinkle flour on Isthin of the house as well as on shoulder and head of the female. They also take some gifts cloths, jewelries, shoes and other items ato the female. The elder from the male family sprinkles flour on the girls shoulder and head and puts a ring on her finger or watch on her wrist or necklace on her neck. During this event the close relatives of both family presents in girl's house. The guests and relatives are then offered different foods especially the traditional food molida. The elders of the bride family kiss the hands of the groom to formally confirm the engagement (Dhasth ba ghak)

Perg Vindhak

This ceremony is performed when the marriage is near. Now adays sometime this cerem,ony is also performed on the morning of the marriage day. In the selected day the groom's side brings 5-10 cloths and many other items such as scarf, shoes, socks, sweater, coat, wristwatch and other gifts according to their financial status. A elder from the bride family put a scarf around the head of the groom and also present the gifts. Zarz thibaq (bread smashed and mixed with milk) is offered to people in the house.

Marriage Preparation

The wedding process takes almost one week and the date and day of marriage is determined by consulting Khalipha. Formal preparations takes about four (4) days. During these days the relatives and people from the village visit the houses of both bride and groom by preparing special foods and presenting gifts. The gift comprised of either money, cloth, goat/sheep, butter or any other item.

Soup Kitak (Putting breads on the griddles)

On the first 2 day the women belonging to the groom's clan prepare breads called Nighun (soft bread from wheat flour dough).

Dilghoonghi Pisak (Preparing a special thick bread)

During late hours in second day and 3rd day the women prepare a special local bread called Dildhoongi.

Ghoshth Pisak (cooking meat):

About 4-7 goat or sheep is slaughter and cooked in plain water. The meat is cooked in big pieces. This is performed by males.

Thoi Ror (Marriage Day)

Shipurzovn (dressing the bride and groom)

This ceremony takes place either the evening of the day before marriage or early morning of the marriage day. during this ceremony the relatives of the bride and groom gather in their houses. Both of them are dressed the traditional wedding dress. Chamurki (bread smashed and mixed with apricot kernal oil or melt butter) and Zarz thibaq (smashed bread mixed in milk) is prepared and offered to people. Khalipha offer Dua for the success of their marriage. People congratulate them and the bride meet and kiss the hands of their close relatives. Two friends of the groom is selected as Thath (foster father of the bride) with the groom On the day of wedding both the families start preparations early in the morning. Special cloths are prepared to their close relatives.

Shoni Loqper (Groom Dressings)

Traditionally a groom (Shoni) wears a white shalwar Kamiz. Over this dress a coat or sweater is also dressed according to the weather condition. Over that the groom wear a traditional white Bat (long robe). On head wears a the wedding turban however, during olden time traditional local cap was used. On his hands he carries a sword and garlands of flowers or rupee around his neck. On his feet he wears new black shoes and socks. Now many grooms are wearing the modern day three piece suits.

 

 

Bidghanz Loqpar (Bride Dressings)

Nowadays a bride (Bidghanz) wears a specially prepared bride cloth however during olden time the cloth for bride was prepared from a special cloth called Kimkhob. During olden time the brides were dressed very simple. According to the weather condition she wears coats or sweaters. The brides wear different jewelries such necklace, bracelets, earrings and others. The bride wears the traditional women cap and silsila (chains of silver across foreheads).

Early in the morning after dressing of the groom the people belonging to the clan and relatives gather at the groom's house.  About 25-40 people are selected to accompany groom to the bride house (Thoichi). The Thoichi (wedding procession is fixed before the marriage day) leave for the bride house usually at 8 to 10 am morning  depending on the distance between both houses. When procession is ready, the musician play a special tune. During olden time a special Persian song was performed with Dhuff called "Sho Muborak Bod" before leaving the house. The groom in procession reaches to the Jamat Khana (Ismaili prayer house) where the bride belongs. The bride with her friends and sisters also came to the Jamat Khana. The khalipha in presence of both side's Wakil (lawyers) starts the Nikah process. The Khalipha  ask the other side whether he or she is satisfied and willing with he or she.  The khalipha recites the nika (wedding agreement) in Arabic/Persian language. After that the couples exchanges gifts to each other. The groom puts a ring to the bride finger or watch to her wrist and vice versa. After this agreement sweets are distributed to the people present during the ceremony.

Mahar (bride Price): This is determined during the Nikah in Jamat Khana. The amount of mahar varies according to the financial status of the male and nowadays it is regulated by the Ismaili Council. The council has set it on on Rs. 10,000. The actual mahar is not paid to the bride but is set in case of divorce the husband will pay the amount to wife.

It was also tradition that on way the relatives of the bride and groom was offering dried apricot, apricot kernal, Zarz Thibaq or any other meal to the Shoni lug on a plate. This is called Putuk. The bride in return were giving some money to them.  If there is some female married before in neighbor of the grooms family, she prepare Puthuk (special foods) for the Thoichi.  Tea and other foods are also prepared in a combine place by the clan of the bride. After attending these special invitations both parties leave for the bride house. Near the house of the bride Thamasho (festive programme) is arranged. The people dance on local tunes (soz) performed by the musicians (old time only people belonging to Doom (Bericho) family were entitled to play music however, nowadays there are trained musicians in every village). However, if there has been any death in the village the Thomosho is not arranged. The Shoni lug (bride and friends) dance on the last tune. After this the thoichi is offered the local traditional foods; Buth , dildhughi and large piece of boiled meat. Nowadays, some people also offer different modern foods. After offering food to the people from bride side the people from the groom side also eat the traditional meal. After enjoying food people from groom side is selected to accompany the groom to the bride house. The groom and bride shakes hands and kisses the hands of their parents and close family members of the bride. The procession with groom and bride leave with traditional music Ajoli. The bride shakes hands and kisses hands of their families. From the bride side the number of people accompanying her exceeds in number of that of groom. The procession takes the jahz (dowry) goods. The jahz is given according to the financial status however in Gojal the parents give only few things in jahz and may include cloths and some other things. 

At the groom's house if there is Thomosho the people dance on local tunes and after that same traditional food is offered to the people accompanying the bride from her family. After enjoying the meal the people back to their houses and the bride stay at groom's house along with one nearest relative mostly sister (Mahmon).

On morning of the next day the bride and the Thats (foster fathers) visit the bride's parent house. This is called Khash Silom.  After these days their close relatives invite the newly web bride and groom with their families to their houses and offer special foods. This is called Qoy Khak.

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