fun-filled engagement ceremony

I would like to share the photos and story of the traditional ceremony of my engagement last week. The tradition of engagement here in Hunza culture is a full family event. Actually, most of the marriages in our culture are within the families--and arranged. Love ones like mine special are very rare.

Anyways, in our culture, first the parents of the man formally propose the woman from her parents(ori:n domaras in burushaski). If the parents accept the proposal then there is a formal engagement ceremony. The man buys an engagement ring, a necklace, three pair of shoes, clothes, and gifts for his fiancee and gifts for the closest family members of her. The parents of man with few family member visit the woman family with these gifts and eatable items like borum hanik(bread and butter) and dirum shoro(traditional sweets). The family of the woman welcome the guests and serve them scrumptious feast. After that, the woman is called to join the family of the man. She sits with her mother in law and takes three morsels of the traditional bread and butter and sweets. Then, the mother-in-law gives her the engagement ring and everyone congratulate the women. Then the family members offer other gifts to the lady. Once the gifts session is done-she is formally engaged with the man. Everyone congratulate the woman and her family members.

It is a complete family thing. Once its over, the family member of the man return where the man is waiting for them impatiently with joy and happiness. The traditional food and sweets which are touched by his fiancée is offered to him by his parents with prayers. He eats three morsels and everyone congratulate the man for his engagement. Thats all.

This story of this traditional ceremenony is pictorially presented to friends and colleagues. Please pray for me and zahra....piar