Getting married in rural Yemen [Archives:2002/16/Culture]

Ablulrahman Sallam
For The Yemen Times
Weddings in the countryside of Yemen reflect rural ways steeped in tradition.
In Hadhramout governorate, especially in the valley of Hadhramout, or Wadi Hadhramout, for example, the traditional wedding is different from the other regions of Yemen. The style is considered as a part of the cultural heritage of the people.
When a young man wants to marry the girl whom he loves or whom he choses, his mother meets the girls mom. She says to her, My son admires your daughter and wants her to be his partner.
After few days the later, an answer is given.
If they agree, the two moms fix a day in which the father of the groom and his relatives meet the brides dad and her relatives. The meeting is conducted in the brides house. The grooms father carries the brides marriage portion in a small suitcase which contains also some presents to the bride.
He delivers it to the brides dad and they recite (Alfatiha) i.e. the first chapter of the Holy Quran. Then they congratulate each other and spread the engagement news among all people in the village.
At the day of wedding, the grooms relatives and guests celebrate in the afternoon. The ceremony is called Harawa. The groom and his relatives participate by their traditional dance to a traditional music called Biteqa. Its played by a band consisting of more than five members.
Before sunset, all participants led by the groom and his relatives go walking slowly to the brides house where the brides relatives are waiting for them. The marriage is contracted there between the groom and his father-in-law.
In the evening, after having supper, the groom and his guests celebrate again, and a singer often entertains. At midnight, the brides relatives bring their daughter by cars to her new house, that is the grooms house. The next day, all relatives of the bride and guests have dinner in the grooms house. The women of the two families and women of the village celebrate until sun set. This is the traditional wedding of people there. It seems difficult but it gives people a chance to see each other and that makes them friendly.

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