Are you interested in learning about some unique Palestinian wedding traditions? Or maybe your partner is Palestinian American and you are thinking about including some customs in your own wedding. Whatever the reason, this article explores some rituals unique to this region.
Tolbeh
The tradition of Tolbeh is still practiced in many Palestinian households. This is where the groom goes to the father of the bride and formally asks for her hand in marriage.
Henna
Similar to many other Eastern cultures, women will paint Henna patterns on to the hand of the bride on the night before the wedding. The henna is beautifully decorated with flowers and placed on a tray with candles. This is a strictly female event and involves a night of dancing and celebration.
What is Traditional Palestinian Wedding Attire?
Palestinian wedding dresses are a beautiful display of culture. Known as ‘thobes’ these black or white dresses display intricate, colorful patterns. Often jewels and coins are sewn into the cloth as well.
The Wedding Ceremony
The official ceremony involves a sheikh reading some words from the Quran and explaining the contract of marriage which the couple will sign. A symbolic financial gift known as ‘Mahr’ will also be presented to the bride by the groom. It is supposed to represent that the bride will be well taken care of in the marriage.
Palestinian Wedding Food
You can expect a large celebratory feast to follow the wedding ceremony. Traditional dishes such as Mansaf, a lamb dish cooked in a fermented yogurt sauce, and Maqluba, a flavorful combination of meat, rice, and vegetables, are likely to be on the menu.
What is the Dabke?
You might have heard of this traditional Arabic dance before. The Dabke is a line dance where the leader sets the pace, stomping and jumping to the sound of an oboe-like instrument known as a mijwiz and the beat of a ‘tabla’ or drum. The line follows the steps of the leader, jumping and stamping their feet in unison.
Officiate a Palestinian-American Wedding Ceremony
Don’t miss the opportunity to officiate an Palestinian-American wedding ceremony for one of your friends or family. You can get ordained online for free with a number of online organizations by just filling out a simple form that only takes a couple minutes to complete. We highly suggest getting ordained with American Marriage Ministries. Once ordained, you’ll have access to a library of information to help you learn all the aspects of wedding from writing your speech to filling out the marriage license.
-Bernard Paul