Following the wedding, honeymooners should consider traveling to Egypt. During the marriage ceremony, husband and wife offered gifts to the gods. Monogamy was emphasized as a value even among the stories of the gods and male gods usually had only one female wife or consort but the king was allowed to have as many wives as he could support, as could any royal man of means, and this most likely influenced how male infidelity was perceived. Although the number of attendees vary greatly, there are always bountiful feasts, elaborate decorations, and many forms of entertainment. Prostitution was not considered a concern either and, as Egyptologist Steven Snape notes, "the evidence for prostitution in ancient Egypt is rather slim, especially before the Late Period" (116). The agreement also specified the items that the bride brought into the marriage and what she would take with her in the event of a divorce. The newlyweds will then spend their evening sitting on a kosha, or raised seating area with an elegant sofa and beautiful, regal-looking decor. Scholar James F. Romano writes, "The Egyptians loved life and hoped to perpetuate its most pleasant aspects in the hereafter" (Nardo, 20). There were no protracted legal proceedings, the terms of the marriage were clearly specified in the marriage contract and generally adhered to. Even though the depictions of the two of them would have been idealized, as most Egyptian art was, they still convey a deep level of devotion which one also finds, to varying degrees, in other paintings and inscriptions throughout Egypt's history. The exchange of gifts is also common during Egyptian engagements. The man was usually married between the ages of 16 and 20, or as soon as he chooses potential craft with the aim to earn money for his family. There are multiple examples of inscriptions and spells to ward off bad luck or circumstances which were thought to be caused by a spouse in the afterlife either haunting a person or exacting revenge from the other side through evil spirits. One test was taking the pulse, investigate the color of the skin and condition of the woman, and another test suggest checking the urine on pots of barley. The guests throw grains on the newlyweds as they exit the venue. Nefertari had four sons and two daughters with Ramses, and she was prominent in Ramses' court for more than two decades. The result was genetic corruption and many royal babies didn't survive. Traditional Egyptian weddings are usually arranged marriages based on the financial status of both families. This is when the bride will toss her flower bouquet over her back to female wedding guests, much like in Western weddings. Are you looking for some Egyptian traditions for your wedding? Ancient Egyptian learned to apply some techniques of pregnancy tests. These post-wedding traditions provide couples with meaningful ways to celebrate their love and commitment to each other while also providing support from family members and friends who will continue to play an important role in their lives even after they have tied the knot. We can feel the love between them as we see the queen standing in front of her husband giving him flowers and accompanying him while he was hunting. For brides, they may choose a white wedding dress or a jewel-toned dress. Post-wedding traditions in Egypt are a unique and important part of the wedding celebration. Desserts such as baklava or basbousa (semolina cake) are also popular. //--> Though they are unique is some ways, in others they're similar to other wedding traditions across the world. In an Egyptian wedding, female guests pinch the bride. Their marriage was short lived, since King Tut died when he was about 18 years old; he left no heir. Cutting of the cake Looking for some Egyptian wedding ideas and more? Rings are thought to symbolize "the perfect circle of a marriage that never ends" in Egyptian culture. Once he has presented his intended with a gift, he will then visit her parents and formally ask them for their blessing on the union by offering them a token of appreciation such as money or food items like dates and nuts, which symbolize fertility and prosperity in Egyptian culture. The Henna night 6. Tomb paintings and inscriptions depict the couple enjoying each other's company in the Field of Reeds and doing the same things they did when they were on earth. When both families agree on terms, they'll read the Yekteb Ketaboh, which is the marriage contract with all the details of the mahr and shabka. The word hemet was often used in tombs, stele or statues. It involves elaborate decor, entertainment and even a feast where the shabka is presented. Egyptian marriages are elaborate events that start with a formal meeting between the groom and the brides family called the Al-Fatihah. (15). Couples tend to wear simple rings, such as gold or silver bands. Regardless, heaps of food are prepared and served to the guests. Some Unique Egyptian Wedding Traditions: Rural Egyptians would arrange a marriage between the first cousins only to keep the prestige, wealth, and prestige within the family groups. Therefore, the main duty of an Egyptian woman in marriage was to give birth to as many children as possible because the death rate in Egypt was too high. This is an opportunity for newlyweds to spend time alone, away from family and friends, as they start their new life together. Terry Feuerborn - Statues of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel. We care about our planet! Sometimes, the person so afflicted contacted a priest to intercede with the departed and stop the curse. Thus, intricate patterns of henna are believed to manifest good luck and fortune for the bride. Try wearing a nice, colorful dress or suit. There one would find all which one had left behind on earth - one's home, favorite tree, best-loved dog or cat, and those people who had already passed on, including one's spouse. Not only did she not have to hide her body during any period of Egyptian history, but its charms were even accentuated in wall paintings and reliefs. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Generally, Ancient Egyptians have married inside their social classes. Celebrations 4. World History Encyclopedia. A traditional wedding can last up to seven days, here's what you need to know before putting on your dancing shoes. Called nuqtah, guests will discreetly push money into a bride's purse during the wedding reception. Henna is considered propitious in Islam. If one had a good relationship with one's spouse then the hope of seeing them again would have softened the loss of death somewhat. The concept of eternal marriage provided the impetus to make life pleasurable, both on earth and in the afterlife, so that the eternal marriage could be happy and successful. Honeymoon customs vary by region but often involve visits to holy sites like mosques or churches, followed by special activities like camel rides on beaches near Alexandria or Luxor. I am in awe of Mark and Diana's breathtakingly beautiful Egyptian Orthodox wedding. This gift is called the nuqtah. Egyptian Wedding Traditions Engagement Traditions 1. Asaf Braverman - Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun. Darren Puttock - Relief of Meru and his wife. Every man that founds a household should hold back the hasty heart.. (Lewis, 184). The Egyptian belief in eternity was an important underpinning to a marriage in that one endeavored to make one's life on earth, and other's, as pleasurable as possible so that one could enjoy it forever. If sprouted first barley wheat, a woman will give birth to a girl. In the case of divorce, the dowry provided by the groom at the time of marriage reverted to the wife for her support or a single payment was given to her" (156). Concurrently, the bride also receives money as gifts discreetly pushed into her purse from her guests. Historically, Egyptian weddings were arranged based on families' financial statuses, or they met through their church, family or friends. Wedding Frontier Wedding Planning Egyptian Wedding Traditions: Everything You Need to Know. Meanwhile, all of the women make a zaghrouta, which is a loud, song-like sound to represent their excitement and celebration of the union. The abundant amount of food served, including stews, salads, meats, fattah, and sweets, represents the families wealth. When Anpu comes home later he finds his wife "lying there and it seemed as if she had suffered violence from an evildoer". Ancient Egyptians considered married as a sacred event in their lives. Polygamy and even adultery were acceptable for men, and, ironically, women were treated respectfully. Nardo writes: Even if he was not deeply in love with his wife, a man could find a measure of happiness in the knowledge that she was content, willingly kept a tidy, well-managed home, and taught the children good manners. The tradition of a wedding cake comes from ancient Rome, where revelers broke a loaf of bread over a bride's head for fertility's sake. a='