Kurdish Wedding Traditions before Modern Times

Description

The provided text, titled "The Unbroken Circle: An Ethnographic Report on Pre-Modern Kurdish Wedding Traditions," details the complex and multifaceted nature of pre-modern Kurdish wedding customs. It emphasizes that marriage, or dawet, was a crucial institution for social organization, political alliances, economic exchange, and kin group continuity across diverse Kurdish communities. The report systematically outlines various stages of the marital process, from formal proposals (Khwazmany) and betrothal ceremonies (Shirini-Khoran) to economic exchanges like bride price (Shirbaha) and dowry (Cihêz), which fostered reciprocal obligations. Additionally, it highlights the unique system of virtual kinship (Kirîvatî), which created powerful alliances while prohibiting intermarriage to diversify social networks. The text further describes elaborate wedding celebrations, including Henna Night (Hanabandan), communal dances (Halparke), the bride's procession (Bûk anîn), and distinctive traditional attire and jewelry, all imbued with symbolic meaning. Finally, it addresses post-wedding integration rituals aimed at solidifying the bride's place in her new family and the couple's role within the broader community.

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Created on: August 31, 2025