Difference between revisions of "Baranxtuan Traditions"
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==Death and Funeral== | ==Death and Funeral== | ||
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Revision as of 12:52, 21 June 2006
Contents
Color Symbolism
Baranxtuan tradition prescribes which colors are to be used at what occasion, based on their symbolism. Adherence to these traditions continue to this day to the extent that the color white is frowned upon during weddings, and European styled weddings usually use red dresses instead of white ones.
Color | Baranxeï | Symbolism | Usage |
white | isjω | purity, reflection, meditation reclusion, loneliness, death, withering |
funeral |
black | lajjω | fertility, richness darkness, coldness, malice |
baptism funeral |
purple | βilω | strength, nobility, power, steadfastness, willpower arrogance, ignorance, tyranny |
wedding, baptism, coronation |
blue | mijjω | intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, divinity parochialism |
coronation, temple going, baptism, engagement |
green | βerηω | harmony, nature, inner calm, serenity | engagement, birth, baptism |
yellow | saumω | joy, festiveness, straightforwardness simplicity of mind, mediocrity |
festivals of all kind |
orange | βejjω | happiness, joy, friendship | engagement, wedding |
brown | υpaφω | plainness, calm, serenity prudery, frigidity |
funeral |
red | ηgω | love, passion, joy, zest for life, sex exuberance, lack of spirituality |
engagement, wedding, birth, baptism |
pink | sindeiγω | happiness, youth, joy | betrothal, wedding |
Marriage
Three distinct ceremonies mark the Baranxtuan marriage. It starts with the proposal which is followed by the engagement period. It doesn't last very long and is soon followed by the espousal and the subsequent betrothal, which is some sort of intermediary stage between Western engagement and marriage. Traditionally, it lasts for exactly six months, but nowadays this can be as short as a week or as long as two years, and sometimes is also skipped entirely.
Marriage proper starts with the wedding ceremony. A marriage does not have to be consummated, traditionally this is expected to happen in the phase of betrothal.
Proposal and Engagement
The proposal ceremony is a private affair between the couple. It is similar to proposal known in European cultures, with only a few differences.
A traditional symbol for proposal is not a ring, but a necklace called seinjasagga. The black and white beaded necklaces usually consist of 36 beads on a silver chain.
After the proposal is accepted, it is announced to the family by the couple. With this announcement, the engagement phase begins, traditionally lasting for three months. Starting with the proposal, the partner is considered next of kin by law and thus receives already a number of legal rights, including the possibility of refusal of testimony.
In former times, the phase of engagement was to be seen as a phase of chastity with little or no physical intimacy between the couple and often marked by frequent visits to temples. This has largely fallen out of use today and is nowadays mockingly known as the 'no nookie clause'.
Espousal and Betrothal
The espousal is the ceremony marking the budding connection of two families. Depending on the importance family has for the couple, this ceremony can be a large festivity or a short ritual.
The core of the espousal is the exchange of υgaja saumaja (yellow gifts), a form of Baranxtuan dowry and bride price. Both families give some support for the start of a new household.
Historically, in farming communities, the full yellow gift to be given by the groom's family consisted of two heifers and a young bull, two hens and a rooster, two ewes and a ram, two does and a buck, a cat and a tom and a dog and a bitch. Of course, only few families could afford to give away so much lifestock, so leaving away some was acceptable, although their always needed to be pairs capable of breeding.
The bride's family was expected to provide sacks of seeds (usually rice, rye and wheat) and cloths. The amount of these varied from region to region.
For same-sex couples, both sides were expected to give lifestock, seeds and cloths. Who were to give exactly what was negotiated during the engagement peirod.
The tradition of giving gifts persists to this day, but is usually only symbolical. For example, families may give statues or paintings of lifestock and fields.
During the betrothal phase, the consummation of the relationship is expected to happen (of course nowadays it usually happens earlier). The couple is expected to start living together to see whether or not they can live side to side.
Wedding and Marriage
The wedding itself is traditionally a long and large celebration.
The rituals surrounding the wedding involve a joint sacrifice, prayer, and a symbolical binding of the spouses. The sign for this is - like in modern European ceremonies - an exchange of rings, although Baranxtuan rings normally are made of silver instead of gold.