Page 49 - Urban Kapital Magazine Autumn 21
P. 49
PAKISTANI WEDDINGS - BY SHAMIMAH SHABEER
Despite being a chance to break Songs are sung, food is eaten, and 5. Rukhsati
away from cultural wedding norms, everyone has a good night. The The Rukhsati is technically done
the composition of multiple days Dhol itself, is a double-sided drum twice, once after the bride leaves
with different events won’t be d which is played with two wooden and sometimes again after the
isappearing anytime soon! I don’t sticks. boy’s day (Valimah). Rather than
know a Pakistani couple or family being a whole separate occasion,
who would give up that level of fun. 3. Nikkah this event concludes the wedding
The Nikkah is the wedding celebration and is the time that the
Depending on the type of wedding ceremony itself. This is where the family and friends say goodbye. In
you are going to, various events and religious marriage is conducted some cultures, this is reserved for
activities are planned to help the and where the bride and groom say the brides, as it is her chance to say
couple celebrate their special day. their “I Do’s”. Typically, both sides goodbye and join a new family.
Typically, A Pakistani wedding will of the immediate family come
consist of multiple days, including. together to witness this. This event 6.Valimah
is restricted in terms of dancing The Valimah is the boys’ day, this
1. Henna Night and music and is a more formal is the final day of the wedding it-
part of the wedding. self. Much like the Barat (the girl’s
This is generally called the day), the Valimah is a chance for
mehndi night and is a day/night 4. Barat the groom’s family and friends to
where women get their henna done. The Barat is sometimes integrated get together. This is a repeat of the
This evening is filled with food, mu- with the Nikkah and is essentially same day the girl had, but with all
sic and can be in a rented hall or at the girl’s day. This is where she the people close to the Groom.
home. The equivalent of this night, can invite as many family members
in some senses, is a Hen party, but and friends as she chooses and is
generally this is for the bride and her the couple’s first time meeting her So, although the pandemic placed
family and friends to come together family. tight restrictions on the number of
to celebrate. During the pandemic, people who attend the weddings.
this day has tended to be with the For guests there are chocolate The cultural traditions of the wed-
bride and her close family. fountains, photographers, dessert dings themselves still allow people
counters and as like the other day’s to have just as much fun with their
2. Dhol Night food and music. For many couples, family and friends.
Sometimes this event is also part of this is the first time their significant
the henna night but consists of the other gets to meet members of
elder members of the wedding party their new partner’s side. MAGAZINE // 49
coming together and playing music.
