Uzbekistan : Want to Marry? See a Doctor

As is well known, young and able-bodied men from Uzbekistan travel to Russia seeking employment en mass every year. Their absence in the country has somewhat impacted ceremonies of one of the most traditional Uzbek rituals—weddings.

For example, for the last several years, young couples willing to join hands and hearts are obliged to pass a thorough medical examination: an HIV test, an examination by a psychiatrist, a drug test, and get a chest X-Ray. If in 2009 and since, many chose to simply bribe doctors for "good results" in order to quickly register the marriage, nowadays, many brides and grooms are serious about these issues and treat a medical examination as an insurance against potential future problems. Brides' relatives are especially prone to insisting on a medical test of future grooms.

"We often hear about people who contracted sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS-positives," a mother of three daughters from Bukhara says. "I am not planning to marry my daughters to a sick person and wreck her life."

Madina, 23, has recently married a labor migrant, who works in Russia's Far East. "I was interested in having him undergo a medical test and not avoid it with bribes," she says. "Young girls here do not have sexual contacts before marriage whereas young men could have intimacy with other women and not be detected. My groom has spent several years in Russia as a labor migrant. And I am completely sure that he had physical intimacy there. Well, it is not safe here [in Uzbekistan]. I have, therefore, insisted he really undergoes the medical test," Madina says about her case.

According to our interlocutor, she and her groom filed an application with the local marriage registrar, where they received a document to take to a medical clinic. "We spent no money on the actual medical examination. We only spent time in line, because there were many young couples there. We have then paid 70,000 soums for registering our marriage," Madina claims.

A Bukhara-based journalist, who was investigating AIDS in Bukhara Region, told Fergana that medical examination findings could result in the cancellation of marriage, should they be positive. 

While marriage registrars do not refuse to register such couples, they still warn them about potential consequences.

"Seventeen soon-to-be couples cancelled marriage plans in Bukhara Region because one of the two was tested AIDS-positive," the journalist, requesting anonymity, told Fergana.

The Uzbek Marriage. Painted by A. Suvorov in 1968. Photo by Artihau

Labor migrants' weddings are almost identical with other "regular" marriages. The differences are guests from Russia, who are always honored guests at weddings. During congratulatory speeches, they often use Russian nicknames for the newly wed couples such as Masha for Madina, or Sasha for Salakhuddin, etc.

The majority of labor migrants want to have their wedding ceremonies held both in Uzbek and Russian. More and more returning labor migrants prefer professional masters of ceremony who keep guests entertained throughout the wedding. DVDs containing wedding ceremonies are always taken back to Russia.

An average wedding with about 300 guests costs the newly wed couples' parents some 5,000 US dollars: restaurant rent, master of ceremony and band fees, first and second course dishes, several kinds of salads, bride gown rent and photo and video recording. Young couples receive plasma TVs, microwave ovens, carpets and other household appliances in gifts during the wedding ceremony. Sometimes people give money in envelopes as gifts.

It is no longer a surprise of a labor migrant return with a Russian wife. Weddings of such couples are no different than those of "regular" couples. It is also no longer a surprise when a returning labor migrant marries an Uzbek woman and then returns to his partner in Russia leaving the Uzbek wife in Uzbekistan.

Photo from Galasvadba.ru

Usually labor migrants return to Uzbekistan late autumn and marry then. Doing so enables them to both marry and recuperate over the winter. They then return to Russia in spring, sometimes with their wife, sometimes leaving them behind. In case a labor migrant cannot afford taking her with himself for whatever reason, the pregnant wife remains at her husband's house until the next late autumn.

*culled from www.enews.fergananews.com

Uzbekistan Holidays and Festivals

There are a number of Uzbekistan holidays and festivals. The largest and liveliest ones feature some form of renewal, such as the New Year, curiously celebrated here by the largely Muslim population with a Christmas tree and a Santa. Each locality naturally has its own festivals, too. One worth seeing is the Boysun Spring Festival in Boysum, deemed by UNESCO to be a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Navruz

Another New Year celebration held all across Uzbekistan is the Navruz (also Navroz, Nowruz, and many other variations). The word 'navruz' means 'new day' in Iranian, so naturally Navruz is Iranian New Year. Held every March 21, Navruz is an auspicious event for many Uzbeks because it is at this time of year they pin hopes of revival and renewal. All over the country, families and local communities prepare sumptuous feasts for all to enjoy.

Boysun Bahori

Many local or provincial celebrations take place in various parts of Uzbekistan during spring. The biggest and perhaps the most culturally significant event is the Boysun Bahori, or the Boysun Spring Festival. Held in mountainous Boysun in Surkhandarya Province, this festival dates back to pre-Islam times and features costumes, songs, dance performances, storytelling, and other local traditions which have withstood the test of time. This event is so steeped in the region's history and culture that UNESCO has named the Boysun cultural space as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Shark Taronalari

Shark Taronalari is Uzbekistan's international world music festival. First held in 1997 in Samarkand, the festival has attracted a growing number of performers and participants through the years. It usually takes place every summer. Folk singers who practice traditional musical genres such as uran khai (throat singing) and makom (sacred classical, melodic Uzbek music) come to the festival to perform.

Independence Day

Independence Day, held every September 1, is the biggest national holiday as the entire country remembers the day when it gained its independence and sovereignty after a long era of Soviet occupation. Feasts and shows are held in many cities and towns, but it is in Alisher Navoiy National Park in Tashkent where the main event takes place. From this park, the president addresses the nation, after which performances from the country's singers and actors take place, along with a large fireworks display.

New Year

Uzbeks have a particularly curious New Year festival called the Yillar . Traditions normally carried out during Christmas in other countries take place in Uzbekistan during the New Year. These traditions include putting up what is essentially a Christmas tree with lots of decorations. Uzbeks also exchange gifts during this time and at some feasts, a man in a Santa costume joins in the merriment.

Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr

As with any Islamic country, Uzbeks also observe Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, abstinence, and prayer. It culminates in a festival called Eid ul-Fitr, which sees families unite in large celebratory feasts. As these festivals follow the lunar calendar, dates for Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr change every year.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Turkmenistan - Food and Restaurants

The cuisine in Turkmenistan is typical of Central Asia, with plov being the main staple. It consists of cubed mutton fried with onions, shredded turnip, and carrot, and served with steamed rice. Mutton also features in most other dishes, such as shashlyk , which is a variant of the kebab (meat and vegetables grilled on a stick), served in non (round unleavened bread, similar to pitta bread). There are dishes that are only found in Turkmenistan, such as ka'urma (mutton deep-fried in its own fat), churban churpa (mutton fat dissolved in green tea), and ishkiykil (dough balls filled with mutton and chopped onion, and traditionally cooked in sand that has been heated by the embers of a fire). 

Mostly, Turkmenistanis like to drink green tea, and you will find this beverage on offer everywhere.

Bars and Pubbing in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is not known for its nightlife since outside the large cities exists a quiet, rural way of life, with many Muslims not consuming alcohol. If you happen to find yourself in a sleepy backwater, it can be a novel experience to share a communal bottle of Turkmenbashi vodka with the locals. The liquor is immensely popular in this part of the world, with Turkmenistan producing its own homegrown and much-loved version.

Otherwise, for the best nightlife, you must head to Ashgabat, the capital city. Here, there are a few bar and nightclub options, although the entertainment district is limited. One of the most popular clubs in Ashgabat is Kumush Ay (Gorogly kocesi 8, Ashgabat), which plays typical trance music with booming bass lines, accompanied by strobe lighting. It gets busy on weekends, closing at around 3:00 a.m. You will need to dress smart-casual in order to gain entrance.

Since it is below Kumush Ay nightclub, a good place to start your evening may be the British Pub (Gorogly kocesi 8, Ashgabat). As its name may suggest, this is a regular bar with plenty of seating and a good range of drinks, and is a great place to meet and talk to friends. There is also a bar and nightclub at Hotel Nizza (18b Galkynysh Street, Ashgabat). The dance floor here opens at 11:00 p.m. and requires smart-casual dress.

Dining and Cuisine in Turkmenistan

If you are hungry in Turkmenistan, head to the local bazaar, or market. Here, you will find a choice of typical Turkmen food, which is simple, yet refined, and filling. One of the most popular choices of the locals is manty (dumplings filled with ground meat, onions, and pumpkin). Also commonly eaten is shurpa (meat and vegetable soup) and shashlyk (meat kebabs). If you are vegetarian, you may wish to opt for a samosa (fried savory, triangle shaped pastry which draws culinary influence from southern Asian neighbors) or an ishlykly (spinach filled dumpling). There are plenty of salads on offer, too. Turkmen cuisine does not use a lot of spice, allowing for the natural taste of the component ingredients to come through in the flavor.

If you are in Ashgabat, you will have the widest choice of restaurants.
Here, you will find international cuisine offered alongside typical Turkmen cuisine. One restaurant that stands out against the crowd is Minara (Altyn Asyr Shopping Centre, Ashgabat). It is situated on the fifth floor of a shopping mall and gives wonderful 360° views of the city's most famous green space, Independence Park. Aside from its location, another thing that pulls in the crowds is the menu, which boasts novelties such as 'squirrel salad', 'fish hedgehogs', and 'English cakes with brains'.

Reservations aren't necessary and the restaurant is open late, allowing patrons to sit down for a meal at 11:00 p.m. if they wish.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Turkmen Traditions

In Turkmenistan, as in other Eastern country , wedding is not possible without national traditions and ceremonies . Religious beliefs and ancient people 's traditions became intertwined in wedding ceremonies . 

Today the traditions lost their original meaning , got the symbolical one , and some traditions transformed into the relative ones. But , on the whole , wedding continue to save the traditional characteristics .

As so often happens in the East, all costs directly related to marriage rest upon the groom ' s family shoulders. Therefore , all relatives of the groom ' s family help in preparation of the wedding .

The tradition of the obligatory ransom for the bride did not lose its actuality . In addition , the groom 's part bears the expenses of the wedding . That is why, if there is a son in the family , the parents begin to lay up money while he is still a minor . A few words should be said concerning the ransom, it is a very good opportunity for girl 's parents to improve their financial position . But still a newborn boy is welcomed more than a girl , as the son stays with his parents after the age and marriage.

In Turkmenistan exactly in nine days before the wedding, the dowry is sent to the groom 's house . The utensils , clothes and carpets are included in the dowry . The dowry was prepared long before , many years beforehand, and it was made by the bride herself.

Sometimes she had no time and her close relatives and friends helped her. 

They might weave and embroider all the necessary for the yurt , as well as the whole complete set of clothes .

Once the wedding procession was one of the brightest moment during the ceremony . The solemn ceremony was gaily decorated . The jingling bells and shawls were hung on the horse harness.

Girls and women in holiday costumes sat on the camels , adorned with magnificent carpets . If in the past camels were as the wedding convoy , but now cars compose the wedding motorcade . In Turkmenistan , instead of traditional balloons and ribbons it is to decorate cars with special scarves.

The traditions of woman wedding costume are rich and diverse. For example , red dress is one of the most widespread variants. The dress from silk homespun fabric – ketene , studded with silver or gilded pendants from the embroidered collar till the hem, it is supplemented with the stylish thrown robe , the coat - breasts of which are covered with the elegant armour and silver ornaments. The bride 's head and hair are decorated with silk embroidered tyubeteika and adornments for plaits : silver chains , bells and pendants . As before , ancient Turkmen jewelry is of special preference in bride's costume . 

Extremely thin on the manufacturing technique and strict in their elegant style , they surround the bride with the aura of mystery . Just as in the past , the robe -cape covers the bride' s head dress, it is almost embroidered with colorful ornaments .

After the end of the wedding , a little more than a month , already married daughter can go to her parents ' house to visit them . In the house of her parents the separate festival is organized . During the festival there is one more ritual. The young bride is dressed in a special attire – red gown in a narrow strip along the vertical . The young woman wears the olive shawl , and she goes back home in this dress .

To this day , the Turkmen wedding has kept the unique atmosphere of ancient traditions, which makes it a wonderful, bright and unusual event.

*culled from www.tourstoturkmenistan.com

Turkmenistan Holidays and Festivals

Turkmenistan is a country at the crossroads of east and west. Most of the major towns and cities that exist today were once trading posts on the old Silk Road, the route which joined the riches of the orient to the lucrative markets in the west. This cultural mix can be seen in the festivals that are celebrated in the country today, such as the ever important Eid al-Fitr, as Muslim festival that is observed by about 90 percent of the population. Turkmenistanis are a proud people and evidence of this can be seen in the Turkmenistan holidays of Independence Day and Memorial Day. For something quirky, look to the Melon Day festival.

Memorial Day

Similar to Veterans' Day that is observed in the US on November 11, and known as Remembrance Day in many English-speaking countries, this public holiday is held to commemorate the fallen soldiers of Turkmenistan. It is a day of national pride for Turkmenistanis, who hold public services to honor all those that died fighting for the nation. In particular, special mention is given to the soldiers who defended the Geok Tepe fortress against the invading Russian troops in 1881. Services are held on January 12.

Women's Day

Coinciding with International Women's Day, held on March 8, the Turkemenistanis seemingly treat this day like Valentine's Day. Women are told by their lovers to sit down and put their feet up, while men go about the housework. Later, the women are adorned with gifts of flowers, perfume, and chocolate.

Nowruz Bayram

Held on March 21, this festival takes place on the spring equinox. It is a public holiday in Turkmenistan and the first day in the new year of the Iranian calendar; for this reason, it is sometimes referred to as Persian New Year. The festival is a celebration of the new and what is to come of the year ahead, while reflecting on the old is also part of the day. Typical meals are cooked and shared with families. Later, communities get together for street carnivals.

Revival, Unity, and Magtymguly Pyragy Day

Held on May 19 and 20, this spring festival celebrates the life and times of a national hero. Magtymguly Pyragy was a Turkmen spiritual leader and philosophical poet who was active in the 18th century. He is revered by all Turkmenistanis to this day since he fought passionately to unify the people, a legacy which lives on today.

Melon Day

This new public holiday in Turkmenistan, instigated in 1994 by the then dictator Saparmurat Niyazov, commonly known as Turkmenbashi. It is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of August and is centered on a special crossbreed of the muskmelon, an important crop for the nation. The day's festivities include a large display of the fruit and a series of dances and other music events.

Eid al-Fitr

Usually held in August, this Islamic feast celebrates the end of the 30-day dawn to dusk fasting period of Ramadan. You will see families celebrating their faith and the end of this important period for Muslims with traditional meals.

Independence Day

This is one of the most important public holidays celebrated in Turkmenistan, and although called Independence Day, it falls over two days, October 27 and 28. It provides a good opportunity to discover more about the culture of Turkmenistan as traditional folklore tales are told and traditional horsemanship shows take place. There is a good dose of hearty Turkmen food served at communal gatherings.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Tibet Traditional Wedding

Tibetan wedding couple are 
receiving Khatags from family members.

Tibet Autonomous Region is an area where Tibetan people live in concentrated communities, constituting more than 95 percent of the population of the region. Tibetan people have many habits which are different from Han nationality. Today, let's talk about Tibetan wedding traditions .

Girls in Tibet are initiated ceremoniously into adulthood, selecting a 'lucky' date according to the Tibetan calendar. Her hair will be plaited from a single to many braids and she will begin wearing a colorful 'apron', indicating her availability for marriage and male friendships.

Tibetan wedding gifts from
 the groom’s side

Public gatherings are considered appropriate occasions for boys to meet girls. Romantic bonfires in the moonlight draw boys and girls together to sing and to worship. After a period of courtship and permission to marry has been granted by each family, an elderly gentleman is asked to propose the marriage to the bride-to-be's parents. According to tradition, only the maternal uncle of the girl has the right to approve. Suitable gifts are presented to the bride's family once approval has been given.

The day before the wedding, the engaged are not allowed to see each other at all. During the day, monks pray for their marriage to dispel any bad luck. On the wedding day, a show man repeats Tibetan rhymed congratulatory words for the new couple. Then, it is the time for guests to show their best wishes to both the bride and groom by offering Khatags , or scarves. Then, the performances begin. During the show, the couple's parents and relatives toast with the guests. The evening ends with a toast made by the new couple.

Toasting for happiness and harmony

After the wedding, all the relatives, friends, old classmates and colleagues gather at the new couple's home and celebrate until that late night. In Tibet, a new couple is not allowed to leave their home for three whole days—a test for both of them as to the strength of the marriage. If they persist, then Tibetans believe that their marriage will last forever.

Relatives and friends are 
singing on the wedding ceremony.

Tibetan wedding ceremony is followed by a joyful wedding feast, which is liberally interrupted by many presentations of ceremonial scarves, blessings, and gifts — so many that sometimes the groom and bride are nearly buried beneath the large number of scarves tied around their necks!

And now more and more Han couples choose take wedding photos in Tibet , they think that a new kind of holy feeling. They also hope their marriage could blessed by god. If you are lucky enough, you can join a local wedding and celebrating with them.

By Master Catherine Jigme

*culled from www.tibettravel.org

Monlam Prayer Festival in Amdo Tibet

The Molam Prayer Festival holds in many Tibetan monasteries across Tibetan Plateau, but the Rebkong or Tongren county in Qinghai Province and Labrang or Xiahe in Gansu Proince in the Amdo region of Tibet are the two most most famous Molam Festival among all.

The Monlam Chenmo, also known as The Great Prayer Festival, is the most important Tibetan Buddhist celebration of the year. It falls on the 4th – 11th day of the 1st Tibetan Lunar month. Monlam means "wish-path" – the Buddhist path of helping others through the prayers. The Monlam Chenmo commemorates the Buddha's enlightenment or fully awakening from ignorance. All the prayers are being sent to sentient beings in six realms (human realm, animal realm, hungry ghosts realms, hell real, demi-god realm, and god realm).

According to the Buddhist belief, time of Shakyamuni Buddha is considered as the time of Dharma (Buddha's teachings) flourishment or the time of spiritual prosperity. However, it has already passed its peak, therefore, is gradually declining. During Monlam festival monks, nuns as wells as lay people are sending prayers in order to postpone and slow down time of decay.

Monlam Chenmo was established in 1409 by lama Tsongkhapa, the great philosopher and founder of Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The first festival was held in Jokhang in Lhasa, where thousands of monks gathered together for chanting prayers and performing religious rituals, such as Buddhist dances (cham), torma offering, giant thangka unveiling, etc. Due to all these rituals have been preserved, they are being performed every first lunar month nowadays.

*culled from www.snowliontours.com

Traditional Thai Wedding

There are many different aspects to a traditional Thai wedding, but not all of these traditions are maintained today. 

Consequently, there can be many variations in the basic ceremony which can be as elaborate or as simple as the wedding couple (and their families) want to make it. Traditions vary in different parts of Thailand so for instance a Thai wedding in the south of Thailand (for example, Phuket) can be very different to a wedding in the north of Thailand (such as Chiang Mai). For marriages in some rural areas and Thai villages 'upcountry', there is more chance that many of the old customs, such as 'preparing the bridal bed' (see below), will be incorporated in the wedding ceremony. The Thai wedding ceremony is essentially non-religious despite the fact that monks may be present. No vows are made but there is a large amount of symbolism to ensure good luck for the newly-weds.

Choosing the Date

To ensure a happy and prosperous marriage, the couple should marry at an auspicious time and date. This isn't taken lightly and astrologers may be consulted to see if the stars are compatible.

Wedding Invitations

Some parts of the wedding day, such as the blessing by monks in the morning, will only be attended by relatives and close friends of the bride and groom. Wedding invitations list the times that each of the most important ceremonies start. The timing of the Buddhist ceremony is set to ensure good luck and will commence at an auspicious time such as 09.09 ( 9 is a lucky number in Thailand ).

Thai people aren't generally renowned for their punctuality, but they will pay particular attention to wedding times to ensure good luck for the couple being married. When it comes to the evening feast or wedding reception, invitations are more casual and a verbal invite can suffice.

Engagement Ceremony

Not surprisingly, the engagement ceremony must take place before the wedding although for practicality and to save money, some couples may hold it on the same day as the wedding (see khan maak procession below).

Paying Homage to the Bride's Ancestors

This is a Buddhist ceremony that usually takes place the night before the wedding. It's quite a simple ceremony and the couple wear everyday clothes, but the principle is that the couple are honouring the bride's ancestors.

Making Merit

Making merit is important to Buddhists and it is particularly important on special occasions such as weddings. Inviting monks to the ceremony ensures merit because donations will be made to the monks. Another way that couples can make merit is by granting an animal its freedom. This is typically done by releasing a bird from a cage, or releasing a fish or turtle back into the water.

For Thai Buddhists, it is widely believed that donating a merit gift (i.e.money) to the local wat (temple) will ensure a lifetime of love for the marriage. If the groom makes a generous donation to the local wat in the name of the bride's parents, it shows great respect for both the bride and her family.

Buddhist Blessing and Merit Making

You don't have to be Buddhist to partake in the ceremony and, in fact, many Western couples also elect to have a Buddhist wedding ceremony when they marry in Thailand. It is important to note that although monks may be present during part of the wedding day, a Thai wedding is essentially a non-religious affair and will usually take place in a private home belonging to a relation of either the bride or groom as opposed to a wat or temple. If monks are invited to attend the ceremony it will be to bless the couple and enable them to make merit. Performing a Buddhist ceremony does not in itself grant legal status on the marriage. For that to happen, the marriage needs to be registered at the Amphur Office.

The wedding day morning will normally begin early (approximately 6-7a.m.) with monks arriving to visit the couple who are to be married. The monks will chant and say prayers whilst a lit candle is placed in a bowl of water. This lustral water is then used later to bless the couple. A bowl of white paste may also be blessed which will be used later to anoint the foreheads of the bride and groom.

The wedding couple and their relatives offer food to the monks before leaving the room to allow the monks to eat. Nobody else is permitted to eat until the monks have finished their meal. After their meal, the monks will begin their chants again and the senior monk will bless the couple, and everybody present, with holy water. The monks then return to the temple. In some instances, the couple may go to the temple rather than have the monks visit them, but donations and food will still be offered to the monks. If monks are present (there can be 3, 5, 7 or 9 monks), trays are usually placed in front of them to receive the envelopes containing the donations. Depending on how the wedding day has been arranged, the khan maak and doors ceremony often follows next.

Khan Maak Procession

Traditionally in Thai culture, the family of the groom discuss with the family of the bride how much dowry ('sinsod') should be paid. Once this is agreed, the engagement can take place which involves an offering of gold and gifts for the bride and her family. The groom and his family form a procession to take the 'khan maak man' ('items for engagement') on special trays to the family of the bride. In olden times it used to be that the procession would leave from the groom's house and walk to to the bride's house, but modern life has changed things slightly.

Nowadays, the khan maak procession often takes place on the same day as the wedding itself and starts just around the corner from where the bride is staying. The procession is a lot of fun and is accompanied by musicians playing traditional long drums as the entourage dances its way to the bride's house. When the groom's family reach the bride's home the way may be blocked by symbolic doors or gates.

Doors Ceremony/Gate Ceremony

This ceremony is what the Thais call 'sanuk' with plenty of laughter and frivolity most of which comes at the expense of the groom as he is teased and gently ribbed by the bride's family. The bride remains inside the house when the khan maak procession arrives. To make sure that the groom is worthy and financially able to take care of his bride, he must be able to open the symbolic doors or gates. The number of doors or gates can vary from region to region, but typically there is a gold and silver gate represented by a gold or silver belt or ribbon which is held by two female members of the bride's family. The silver gate is known in Thai as 'pratoo ngoen' and the gold gate as 'pratoo tong'. To open the gate the groom must be able to provide a 'key'. 

This key comes in the form of an envelope with money inside. The groom may be given a hard time as the gate guardians joke and tell him the money isn't enough to gain access. As he reaches each gate the amount asked for will be more and there is lots of cheering as each gate is successfully opened. Depending on circumstances it can either be the groom or his father that hands over the money envelopes to the gate guardians.

Once the gates have been successfully negotiated, the groom's family will present gifts to the bride's family which traditionally include banana and sugar plants. In years gone by, the plants would be nurtured at the bride's house and when the couple had their first child the plants would be there to provide nutrition for the baby. As well as the plants, the khan maak procession will bring food which will be laid out for the ancestors who have passed away. This demonstrates that the dead ancestors have not been forgotten and that they are part of the joyous occasion. Gifts will also be handed to the bride and her family (usually gold chains or necklaces) and the dowry ('sinsod') will be presented for inspection.

Sai Monkhon

The next part of the wedding ceremony is usually conducted by a senior elder who may be a member of the bride's family or a respected member of the community. During the wedding ceremony, the couple wear traditional Thai clothing and kneel in front of the senior elder, with the groom on the right. The couple 'wai' as specially prepared white thread, 'sai monkhon', is looped and used to link together the bride's and the groom's heads. It is symbolic that the thread forms two circles which whilst linked, also remain independent. This indicates that the couple's destinies are linked, but individual identity is retained. The circle is also symbolic because of its continuity and the fact that merit can be carried around in the circle.The senior elder then pours sacred water over the hands of the couple. Bowls of flowers are placed underneath the hands to catch the water. The guests then bless the couple by also pouring water over the hands of the couple in the 'rod nam sang' ceremony.

Shell Ceremony – 'Rod Nam Sang'

The bride and groom wear garlands round their neck and kneel and wai whilst the elder says a few words and anoints them on the forehead. A conch shell (known in Thai as 'sang') is filled with holy water and is used by each guest to gently pour over the hands of the newly-weds ('rod nam' means to soak with water). Each guest places a gift, usually an envelope of money, in a basket. The amount given is supposed to depend on social status. In return the guest may receive a small memento of the wedding day before the group photos are then taken.

White Thread Ceremony – 'Phiti Bai Sri Su Kwan'

The newly-weds sit next to each other whilst an old and wise man says auspicious things and blesses the wedding. White threads are linked to the wrists and soaked with holy water. The thread is then torn on the side until it breaks and whoever has the longest piece is supposed to be the one whose love is deepest.

Sai Sin

Lots of relatives, friends and well-wishers will tie pieces of white string, 'sai sin', around the wrist of each couple to wish them good luck. These string bracelets are meant to be kept on for at least 3 days to benefit from the good luck bestowed.

Evening Party

The wedding reception or party often starts around 6.pm.with the bride and bridegroom greeting guests as they arrive. There may be a book to sign wishing the couple good luck and the guests will present a gift (normally money in an envelope) to the newly-weds and may have their photo taken with the couple. Around 7.pm.guests will sit down to eat and approximately 45 minutes or an hour later, the Master of Ceremonies (MC) will stand. The MC can be a good friend of either the bride or the groom or he could be somebody hired especially for the event. The MC calls the newly-weds to the floor and the parents of the groom will present the couple with a wedding flower. At Thai weddings there is often a guest of honour and they will be called next to make a short speech to wish the couple well. The guest of honour can be a relative of the bride or groom or they may be somebody who is well respected in the local community. The speech will be short and sweet followed by a toast to the newly-weds. The MC takes over again and may tell a few jokes or humorous stories before interviewing the bride and groom. The bride and groom cut the wedding cake and show respect by serving their parents, senior relatives and the guest of honour.

The couple will then mingle with guests for photos. At this point, friends of the groom are often keen to raise a toast to him which he should reciprocate. Fortunately, it is acceptable for the groom to sip his drink when being toasted and he doesn't have to down it in one go! The party will have much drinking and dancing and as Thais like to have 'sanuk' the event is usually a great social occasion. The party may finish officially around 11p.m but it isn't unusual for party-goers to continue the celebrations at a nearby karaoke bar. 

The bride and groom will probably be exhausted at this stage after such a long day and such an early start, but they may have one more surprise awaiting for them before they can go to sleep.

Preparing the Bridal Bed

This old-fashioned ritual does still take place in some places, particularly rural areas. Don't be alarmed if you are led to the honeymoon suite to find an old couple sitting on your bed waiting to greet you! The idea is that an old couple are evidence of a long and successful marriage. Their knowledge and good luck is then imparted to the newly-weds in a number of different ways. They may say how lucky the bed feels hinting that the newly married couple will have children. Bags of rice and coins may be placed on the bed along with a number of other items all acting as symbols of prosperity and fertility. Tradition states that the newly-weds share their bed with these objects for the next 3 nights. You may be relieved to hear that the old couple don't also stay in the bed for 3 nights!

Sinsod

Traditionally, what might be called a dowry is paid by the groom to the bride's family. If your fiancée is Thai, this is an issue you may have to come to terms with and it is often a bone of contention for non-Thai men.

*culled from www.watdee.com

THAILAND HOLIDAYS AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCE DAYS!!!

If you're planning a trip to Thailand next year, one thing you might want to take into consideration when you choose your holiday dates, are Thailand's public holidays. Thailand has at least 16 public holidays a year, where everyone gets a day off, which is more than almost any other country in the world. Thailand's public holidays are amazing, with fairs, festivals, concerts and more. Most months have at least one public holiday, some have more. Check out all of Thailand's public holidays and you can choose the best time to come to suite your particular interests.

January

New Year's Day , Thai's do actually celebrate the Western New Year, even though the Thai New Year isn't until April. Most people go home to visit family, which means if you're outside Bangkok, the roads can be pretty packed. In Bangkok, it's like heaven, as all the traffic jams disappear and the normally polluted air is clean from the lack of cars. Thai's who stay in Bangkok tend to go shopping, as all the shopping malls and stores are open in the Winter months too, beer gardens sprout up at shopping malls all over Bangkok, so you can spend New Year's Day having a nice meal and then head out to an open-air beer garden for great beer and live music.

February

Makha Bucha Day , An important day in the Buddhist calendar, Makha Bucha Day celebrates certain Buddhist teachings. On Makha Bucha Day, many of the schools in Thailand will march to their local temple carrying offerings for the monks. They will walk around the temple three times and then go inside to hear the monks speak about the Lord Buddha and his lessons. If you're staying anywhere near a Thai school, it's interesting to watch all the kids marching to the temple, some in traditional Thai costumes. In some areas, you'll get 7 or 8 schools going to the same temple so, watching the kids walking there is like watching a mini parade.

April

Chakri Memorial Day, Chakri Memorial Day celebrates the beginning of the Chakri Dynasty (the royal dynasty of the present King of Thailand). It's normally just a public holiday where some Thai's will go to the temple but most will hang out with family and friends to go shopping or to eat. You'll also see a lot of enormous photos of the present King and Queen being put up all over Bangkok.

Songkran

Songkran is the big holiday in Thailand as it's Thai New Year. It's a three day holiday (Monday thru Wednesday) although many people will take the week off. People travel with their families and then the water festival starts. All over Thailand, for three days, if you venture outside, you'll get wet, as kids and adults both splash, squirt or throw water at you. You may get a bit of a squirt of a water gun, or a hose, or an entire bucket of water poured over your head and nobody is safe. If you don't like getting wet, stay inside until after 6 p.m., when it will stop until the day after. But, Thailand is so hot at this time of year that getting wet is really fun and and enjoyable from the hot, humid surroundings. Chiang Mai is the best place to celebrate Songkran, but anywhere is a blast!

May

Coronation Day , Coronation Day celebrates the coronation of His Royal Highness King Bhumipol Adulyadej, the present King of Thailand. Again, most Thai's spend the day shopping or eating out with family. The slopping malls are packed on this day so, if you have urgent shopping, save it for another time if you can. Again, it's also a time for even more enormous photos of the King to be displayed. Some of these photos can be the size of a 12 story building. You'll even see the King's picture decorating the outside of massive sky scrapers, so his face can be seen for miles!

Royal Ploughing Day

This is an interesting holiday as it blesses Thailand's farmers. There is a fascinating ceremony at Sanam Luang, near the Grand Palace, in Bangkok, which involves several oxen, some government officials and different grains. Depending on which grains the oxen eat first, this tells whether it will be a good harvest season or not in the coming year. The ceremony is also shown on Thai T.V., so if you don't want to go down to the actual field (it gets quite crowded), you can still see it. If you do go to the field, it's a wonderful place to take photos.

Vesak

May is chocked full of holidays as Vesak is also a public holiday. Vesak celebrates Buddha's birthday, life and death, and on this day most Thia's will go to temple to give make merit (donate to the temple and to the monks). Making merit means you will get a place in heaven, so public holidays like Vesak are important in Thailand. Some temples will also have temple fairs with lots of traditional Thai food, games, dancing and even Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) matches.

July

Asanha Bucha Day , Another important day on the Buddhist calendar, this public holiday commemorates the Buddha's first teaching after he attained enlightenment. Again, another day where Thai's go to give merit at the temple, and another day where you might find the local temple putting on a fair.

Khao Phansa Day

This day marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent. Buddhist Lent, unlike Western Lent, is not a time where Buddhist deprive themselves of anything though, it's simply a time where Thai Buddhists monks retreat to their temples for 3 months and meditate and pray. Ordinary Thai's will spend some time at temple, but many will also spend the day shopping or with friends.

August

Queen's Birthday , August is when the Queen of Thailand's birthday is celebrated. It is also Mother's Day in Thailand (Mother's and Father's Day are the days of the King and Queen's birthdays, as they are seen as the "Mother and Father of Thailand"). On this day, every Thai who can, will spend the day with their families and usually take their mothers out for lunch or dinner. Not a day to go to a nice restaurant if you don't have your mom with you, as every restaurant in town is packed full of Thai families. But, if your mom happens to be on holiday with you, then she'll be made to feel like a queen at any restaurant in Thailand. Flowers are also incredibly cheap in Thailand. You can actually purchase a bouquet of red roses for your mom for less than $3.00.

October

Chulalongkorn Day , This day commemorates the death of King Chulalongkorn or Rama V, one of Thailand's most beloved kings. King Chulalongkorn was involved in many projects that helped Thailand and the Thai people, and is spoken of having helped to bring Thailand into the modern day world. He also abolished slavery in Thailand, so he is one of Thailand's national heroes. On Chulalongkorn Day, again, it's a great time for families and friends to shop and eat, although many Thai's will also buy large floral wreaths and lay them at the base of Rama V's statue at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok.

December

December is one of the best months for public holidays, as there are three important days in this
month.

King's Birthday

One of the most important holidays of the year is the birthday of the King of Thailand. It falls on December 5th every year and is also the day that all Thai's celebrate Father's Day. The King of Thailand is revered almost like a living god, so Thai's from all over the country go to temple to pray for the King. There is also an enormous celebration for the king at Sanam Luang (near the Grand Palace). A few hundred thousand Thai's attend the celebrations. Here, you'll find food stalls, musicians from all over Thailand playing on a gigantic stage. Then, when it goes dark, everyone in attendance will light a candle...an unbelievably beautiful sight, against the backdrop of Wat Phra Kaow and the Grand Palace, the most beautiful buildings in Thailand. In other provinces in Thailand, you will also find parades and fireworks as every Thai loves to celebrate the King. For fathers, it is also Father's Day and many Thai's will take their dads out for a meal, to play a round of golf, or go to a movie.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day falls on the 10th of December and celebrates Thailand's first real constitution. It's basically just a chance for a holiday from work after an exhausting year. Thai's will either sleep, shop, eat or go and see a movie.

New Year's Eve

Even though it's a Western holiday, Thai's still really get into New Year's Eve. There are several large concerts and shows all over Bangkok, all the night clubs throw big parties, and many of the restaurants will have special New Year's Eve dinners. The shopping malls are crowded and everyone is in a wonderful mood. Most Thai people are on holiday from December 31st to January 4th or 5th, so they're in a relaxed mood in preparation for their break. Central World Plaza in Bangkok is the most popular place to see in the New Year.

All of these public holidays in Thailand have one thing in common, Thai's love to have fun. Even at temple, or celebrating the King's birthday. Thai's are a fun-loving people and make the best out of every moment. Public holidays are days to have a great time, so if you're lucky enough to be in Thailand for one of them, join in with the festivities and enjoy yourself.

*culled from www.checktheholidays.blogspot.com

Cuisine of Tajikistan

Traditional Tajik cuisine
Traditional Tajik cuisine has much in common with Persian, Afghan, and Uzbek cuisines.
Plov (Tajik: palav, Uzbek: palov), also called throughout central Asia as osh, is the national dish in Tajikistan, as in other countries in the region. Green tea is the national drink. Traditional Tajik meals start with a spread of dried fruit, nuts, halva , and other sweets arrayed on the table in small dishes, and then progress to soup and meat, before finishing with plov. As with most countries in the region, meals are served on a dastarkhan, a low table where food is served at the feet of diners.

Palav or osh, generically known as plov, is a rice dish made with shredded yellow turnip or carrot and pieces of meat, all fried together in vegetable oil or mutton fat (traditionally a sheep's tail) in a special kazan (a wok-shaped cauldron with a narrow bottom) over an open flame. The meat is cubed, the carrots are chopped finely into long strips, and the rice is colored yellow or orange by the frying carrots and the oil together, after which the meat is added, and finally a carefully measured amount of rice and water. Usually, whole bulbs of garlic are added and served atop the plate of plov. Other common ingredients include onions, chickpeas, raisins, quinces, apricots, and other fruits. The dish is eaten communally from a single large plate placed at the center of the table; traditionally, plov is eaten with bare hands, and this practice is still often used in rural areas.

Another traditional dish that is still eaten with hands from a communal plate is qurutob, whose name describes the preparation method: qurut (sometimes called Kurt, dried balls of salty cheese) is dissolved in water (Tajik: ob) and the liquid is poured over strips of а thin flaky flatbread ( patyr or fatir, or more accurately fatir ravghani, i.e., fatir made with butter or lard for flakiness). Before serving, the dish is topped with onions fried in oil until golden and other fried vegetables. No meat is added.

Tea accompanies every meal and is frequently offered between meals as a gesture of hospitality to guests and visitors. It is served hot in a china pot with a lid and is drunk with or without sugar or honey, from small saucer-like cups without handles (piala). Because of the universal popularity of tea-drinking, the chaikhana or teahouse is the most common gathering place in Tajikistan, replacing the Western-style coffee house.

Meals are usually served with non, a flatbread found throughout Central Asia (also universally called lepyoshka in Russian). If a Tajik has food but not non, he will say he is out of food. If non is dropped on the ground, people will put it up on a high ledge for beggars or birds. Legend holds that one is not supposed to put non upside down because this will bring bad luck. The same holds true if anything is put on top of the non, unless it is another piece of non.

Many Tajik foods are eaten in other countries of the region as well. One of these is the good old shashlik (shish-ka-bob without vegetables, barbeque) which can be found on any street corner in central Asia. Shashlik is simply chunks of meat (any type) put on a long skewer and roasted over a charcoal or wood fire; the marinade, however, is crucial to the taste and varies widely. Traditional Tajik soups include mainly meat and vegetable soups (such as shurbo and piti) and meat soups with noodles (such as lagmon and ugro). Other dishes shared regionally, either as fast food or as an appetizer, include manti (steamed meat dumplings), samsa (a triangular pasty with a meat and onion stuffing, baked in a tandir oven), and belyash, deep-fried cakes made of yeast dough and filled with minced meat, similar to piroshki). Dairy dishes, usually served as part of the spread of appetizers in a Tajik meal and scooped with pieces of flatbread, include chaka (a sour milk preparation), thick yoghurt, and kaymak (high-fat clotted cream). Qurut balls may be served as a snack or an accompaniment to cold beverages. 

Although not a traditional Tajik drink, kefir, a drinking yogurt, is often served with breakfast.

In the summer, Tajikistan is abundant in fruit: its grapes and melons were famous throughout the former Soviet Union. The bazaars are overflowing with fresh, natural pomegranates, apricots, plums, peaches, apples, pears, figs, persimmons, quinces, berries and many others.

*culled from www.tajikistan.orexca.com

Tajikistan Wedding Culture

As is known , wedding is one of the major events in the life of every man. Today we would like to tell you about the traditions and customs of the Kyrgyz wedding . Unlike the other Central Asian people , the Tajik wedding ceremony is held very original and unique way . But first things first .

Let's start with the most important ceremony - matchmaking. Here as a rule speak about the kalym and engagement day as well as bride and groom 's parents get acquainted . 

Engagement has the next meanings : kabuldaron ( agreement to posses ), oshkhurakon (pilaf treat ) and oklik (purity , whiteness ) . This day groom 's relatives bring trays with delicious meal to bride's house . The first tray full of wedding bread is brought for happy family life , the second one with ingredients for wedding pilaf , the third one with sweets, so that the life of the newly- weds to be sweet. There are also necessary presents for bride : white fabric , white shoes and kerchief .

By tradition, the Tajik wedding is celebrated in the bride's home. After the end of the celebration , the newly- weds must live in the bride ' house for three days , and only then they can move to the groom 's house . Well , let's get acquainted with the main ceremony – wedding . This day the groom dressed in traditional costume , come to the bride's house with relatives and friends. 

There are knife, wooden spoon and pod of red pepper . The knife is the symbol of courage , the spoon " helps " to give a birth a girl as the future housewife , and pepper is the amulet against evil eye.

When the bride goes to the guests, her friends hold embroidered gold carpet above her head that symbolizes happiness of new home. Then she goes to " chimlik " – (curtain made in order to hide the couple during wedding ceremonies ), where groom waits for her. 

After the priest bless the newly- weds and give them to taste honey for further happy life . The main wedding ceremony is " nikoh " , during of which mullah read verses from the Koran , and then he gives the couple to drink holy water . This ritual is held in order to confirm the husband 's agreement to protect his wife and she in her turn must honor and respect her husband . 

After the finishing all the ceremonies , the newly- weds go to registry office , and then there is a real feast with merry programs, dances and delicious treat . People of mountainous area celebrate the wedding ceremony accompanied sport competitions and games .

*culled from www.tourstotajikistan.com

Tajikistan Holidays and Festivals

Tajikistan is a predominantly Muslim nation, so many of the national Tajikistan holidays and regional festivals are related to events in the religious lunar calendar. Most Tajiks take part in the celebrations at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Celebrations usually feature music and food, with communities coming together to rejoice. Regional festivals, such as the colorful spring Tulip Festival (Sayri Guli Lola), are a good way for visitors to get a better insight into the traditions and culture of this fascinating land.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day (January 1) is a public holiday in Tajikistan, and one of the biggest holidays of the year. It is celebrated in a similar manner to western Christmas, with decorated trees, gift giving, and family visits. Many towns will also host fireworks displays.

Navruz

Navrus is the celebration of the Persian New Year, which takes place over three days between March 20 and 22 each year on the spring equinox. The event is a national public holiday and a very important festival. Celebrations are a community affair, with whole towns preparing special dishes, eaten only on this occasion, and taking part in street parties, concerts, and parades, as well as visiting with friends and family.

Sayri Guli Lola

Sayru Guli Lola is a regional festival held in the north of Tajikistan in honor of the native tulips that flower during spring. This colorful two-day festival is hosted by different towns and features traditional choirs, music, and dancing. The first day sees locals tying tulips around trees, where people gather to sing, dance, and make wishes. Naqshi Kalon is a traditional song particular to this festival, and evening torchlight parades represent the victory of light over dark. The next day is for self cleansing in rivers and remembering the dead, with special prayer services held at cemeteries.

Victory Day

Victory Day is a national public holiday that takes place on May 9 each year. The festival, which has been observed in Tajikistan since 1946, commemorates the Soviet Union WWII defeat of Germany, and is usually characterized by fireworks and a military Parade. Each town has its own celebrations that often include greeting veterans and acknowledging their wartime achievements. The capital, Dushanbe, has the largest organized event, centered on Victory Park.

Eid al-Fitr

The Muslim event of Eid al-Fitr, also locally referred to as Idi Kurbon or Qurban Eid, takes place according to the Islamic lunar calendar, usually during September, to celebrate the end of the Ramadan holy month of fasting. Festivities usually center on communal prayer, feasting, and family visits. Fasting is forbidden for Muslims on this day. Children are given sweets in the early morning, and the average household receives visits from more than seventy people in a day. It is also a time for gratitude and giving to charity.

Independence Day

Tajikistan celebrates its 1991 independence from the Soviet Union on September 9 each year. Each town celebrates in its own fashion, usually with a festival that includes street parades, concerts, and fireworks. Independence Day is a nationally observed public holiday.

Eid ul-Adha

This Muslim celebration occurs 70 days after Ramadan on 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, the event commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in submission to God's will. The four-day celebration features special prayer services and a family feast of fattened sheep (in reference to the lamb that was sacrificed in the place of Abraham's son, also at God's command).

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Equatorial Guinea - History and Culture

Equatorial Guinea has a long history as a Portuguese colony. It is notable for the Bantu tribes, the Fang, and the Pygmies, and is now one of the world's oil sources. The country has had its share of political strife and although the past was turbulent, its culture and heritage is well preserved.

History

In the late 15th century, the Portuguese colonized the area that makes up what is known today as Equatorial Guinea. The Bantu migrated there in the 17th and 19th centuries. The Portuguese eventually handed the territory to the Spanish in 1788, and until 1959, the country was ran as the protectorate of Spanish Guinea. The colony was granted full independence in 1968.

Equatorial Guinea's first decade of freedom was dark because of the incompetent and brutal rule of the president, Macias Nguema. In 1979, Lieutenant Colonel Teodoro Obiang, his nephew, overthrew President Nguema through a military coup. Conditions initially improved after international aid was administered and the country became a part of the Franc Zone of the CFA.

Obiang continued to oppose the creation of a fair political system in the 1980's while continuing to establish his position through repression. This led other countries—Spain, in particular— to stop sending support. In 1991, a democratic constitution was finally created. Equatorial Guinea's first multi-party legislative elections were conducted in 1993.

Unfortunately, boycotts at the poll influenced and intimidated voters, but Obiang's PDGE (Partido Democratico Guinea Ecuatorial) earned most of the positions. Placido Mico Abojo was the most recent leader of the opposition, who was imprisoned in 2002 for allegedly planning a coup against the president.

Oil deposits were discovered in the mid-1990's in the Gulf of Guinea, earning Equatorial Guinea international recognition. The discovery also contributed to the country's economic boost. The development came with a few downsides, though, including a dispute with Nigeria regarding ownership of the island of Biokno, home to many of the latest oil rigs in Equatorial Guinean territory.

Despite progress and growth in recent years, the country is still perceived to be under an abusive and corrupt government. Forced rule is not a new concept in Equatorial Guinea; in fact, it has been around since the time of the original inhabitants, the Pygmies. 

Nowadays, the small group of Pygmies left mainly reside in the north and the Fang tribe remains dominant in Equatorial Guinea.

Culture

The mainland's culture is heavily influenced by ancient rituals and songs, while Bioko Island is ruled by colonial Spanish traditions. Music and dance is at the core of Equatorial Guinea, and they are treated by the natives as religiously significant. Traditional musical instruments include xylophones, big drums, the small thumb bamboo-made piano called, sanza , the harp, and the wooden trumpet. The literary culture is mainly about legends and myths passed down by word of mouth.

Equatorial Guinea has no official religion, but its people are mostly Roman Catholic, while a small percentage of the population practicing animism. Many ancient customs have been preserved by the Bubi. One of the nation's most famous celebrations is the abira , which is performed to drive evil away by cleansing the community. 

Traditional dances like balélé can be seen throughout the year and on special occasions like Christmas.

*culled from www.iexplore.com