Page 119 - The Circle of Life

having to clean up after my sister's weddings and it was quite a job to pick up all

the flowers and whatever else was thrown. Had to take a few beers afterwards
as reward which did not please my parents being still in junior high at that
stage!

I understand that Hindu brides wear their wedding rings on the toe and more

specifically on the left feet index toe (next to the big toe). This is made of silver
and only worn by married women. I wonder if the modern Western women know

this when they wear toe rings. You may be married without knowing it (joke).

Polish weddings, and I cannot confirm this one having no Polish clients yet, has
a bridal dance where the bride dances with every guess wearing an apron or a

mate does (I am not sure). It is the last dance before she leaves for honeymoon
and the apron is filled with money during it. Great tradition I say. Money is

always the best wedding gift.

Apparently in the old South slaves (not being human) could not legally be

married so the tradition arose to jump across a broom as a symbol of marriage.
There is no similar African tradition which I know off so am unsure where this

one came from. It is to me wonderful to see how the human spirit could not be
extinguished despite all the suffering. They simply created their own traditions

which should be kept alive though I understand the political sensitivity around it.

The German tradition demands dishes and cookery to be destroyed. I always
thought that was Greek to be honest. It is done to ward off evil spirits with a lot

of noise. It also warns the couple of the difficulties ahead. I suppose it plays with
the arguments bound to flare up now and then in a marriage. Still, the idea of a

German hausfrau throwing her husband with a cup just doesn't sound right. My
German clientele is very correct and proper people. I just don't get it.

I am not sure where it happens but in some traditions the bride (and groom if he
cannot run fast enough) is to besmirch the bride with a vile mixture before her

big day (I am relieved to say). She is then paraded through town with everyone

making a huge noise. Not sure what this is supposed to do but I do know that in
some traditions oil is used on the newlywed couple so that they can explore each
other's bodies whilst washing it off! Makes perfect sense in a way!

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