List of Egyptian Wedding Traditions
Table of Contents
An Egyptian wedding is a very special historic ceremony that has been carried on from generation to generation since the times of the Pharaohs. Although Egypt has been exposed to many civilizations, such as Greek, Roman, and Islam, many of the traditions of ancient Egyptian marriages still remain in modern Egyptian weddings. Here is a complete list of Egyptian wedding traditions.
Although arranged marriages are not quite the norm anymore, when it comes to Egyptian weddings, they still are not an unusual occurrence. Once both families have given their approval, a marriage agreement is drawn up.
The marriage agreement is made up of two parts, the mahr, and the shabka, where the groom has to bring two gifts to the girl’s family. The “mahr” is a sum of money that a groom-to-be pays to the girl’s family, while the “shabka” is a tradition where the groom gives to his wife-to-be jewelry.
The engagement period gives the couple time to get to know each other. The bride’s family will host the engagement party at home or more often at a hotel with wedding decorations of several kinds of flowers and lights.
The symbolism of the wedding ring is said to date back to Ancient Egyptian culture. Wedding rings are said to represent the perfect circle or marriage not ending.
Egyptian women have a henna party for the bride and her female cousins and friends which is held a day or two before the wedding ceremony. This night is usually themed, mostly with girls wearing belly-dancing outfits.
The Egyptian wedding ceremony starts with a car parade with wedding decorations of flowers and ribbons. When the bride and groom reach the hotel they are received by a “Zaffa” (procession), another human parade of belly dancers and drummers. Christian couples celebrate their marriage in a church conducted by a priest with prayers and readings from the Bible.
Muslims hold a wedding ceremony called “katb el katb” which is performed by the Maa’zoun in the local mosque or at the house. The ‘Mahr’ and ‘Moa’khar’ are written in the contract during the ceremony. The ’Moa’khar’ is the money a Muslim bride receives in case of a divorce.
As elsewhere in the world couples cut the wedding cake, which is several layers high and feed each other. The bride then tosses her flower bouquet behind her back to other hopeful females. The wedding celebration is marked by plenty of food and drinking of a traditional sweet drink called “sharbat” which is prepared from various fruits and herbs.
Call Clarence House today. Our professional and dedicated team will help you prepare, plan, and organize your special day, from start to finish, to make your luxury wedding the most memorable day of your lives.
Organizing an event, be it a wedding or a corporate meeting, is very stressful and…
Including pets in your events can add a delightful and memorable touch, transforming your celebration…
A garden wedding ceremony combines the enchantment of nature with the intimacy of a personal…
When planning to set up a wedding, you have to decide if it will be…
Creating a beautiful, seasonally appropriate wedding atmosphere is essential for setting the right mood for…
Organizing an event can feel like juggling a dozen decisions at once, but selecting the…