plan a navajo wedding
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A Navajo wedding ceremony does not merely join a woman and man in marriage spiritually, but also conveys the traditions of Navajo heritage to the next generation. Some elements of the ceremony are modified from the historical ceremony to accommodate modern conveniences and sensibilities. Arranged marriages are no longer custom, and were discontinued in the middle of the 20th century. The practice of constructing a hogan, a traditional eight-sided dwelling, has been abandoned in favor of holding the ceremony at a relative's home or in an existing hogan.
Things You'll Need
- Gift to present to the bride's parents
- Hogan or home for the ceremony to take place
- Basket
- White or blue corn mush
- Water pitcher
- Pollen
Instructions
1
Arrange a visit between the parents, traditionally at the home of the bride's parents. The groom's parents propose on behalf of their son. In European culture, a bride came into the marriage with a dowry. In Navajo culture, the opposite is practiced. The groom's parents bestow gifts of livestock or goods to the bride's parents with their offer of marriage. In the 21st century, jewelry or currency are given in lieu of agricultural items.
2
Set a date for the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the date is set by the bride's family and occurs within several days. In modern times, the date can be several weeks or months after the visit.
3
Locate a hogan. A hogan, a traditional dwelling of arbor branches, was built where the wedding ceremony would take place. The hogan symbolized the new family's independence and privacy. In the 20th and 21st century, weddings take place at the home of the relatives of the bride or at a pre-existing hogan.
4
Construct or gather the ceremonial items. The bride carries a basket. The medicine man carries a water jug. Instead of flowers, there is corn mush inside. During the ceremony, the medicine man sprinkles the white or blue mush with pollen from four different directions, signifying the seeding and growth of the couple's life together.
5
Arrange the participants. In the hogan or relative's house, the groom is positioned on the west side with his mother. Other relatives are placed on the north side.
6
Begin the ceremony. The bride enters with the medicine man. He pours water from the jug to cleanse the hands of the groom and bride. Not only does it clean the hands, but this act symbolically cleanses the spirit, mind and body.
7
Serve the ceremonial meal. The bride and groom eat the corn mush with their hands during the ceremony. After, a traditional meal is consumed by the families and elders after the union is sealed.
8
Present gifts and exchange greetings and advice. During this time, well wishers bestow the newlyweds with gifts. Elders of the tribe impart wisdom on marriage and life to the couple as well.
9
Depart from the wedding. The families go to their homes, and the newlyweds retire to their new home together.
Tips &- Warnings
The couple must obtain a marriage license from the local Clerk of Courts or County Recorder for the union to be legally recognized.
Tags: bride parents, corn mush, take place, wedding ceremony, 21st century, groom parents, hogan traditionalSource: www.ehow.com
