20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

Albanian wedding rituals (Influence of oriental elements... 629house with two dishes on her hands, one with bread dough and one fullof honey, and the bride had to put her hands in both dishes and touch thethreshold from the inside and outside.In Mat, at the arrival of the bride to the groom’s house, she was taken tothe dough tough, where the bread was prepared, and she had to put her handin honey and sugar. The application of honey on the hand was a symbolof harmony and love and is used in all the Albanian regions. (Alushi,1972: 262-284; Dojaka, 1980: 115-155; Tirta, 2003: 306-307) But,in some places salt was also used. In the areas, respecting the Kanun ofSkanderbeg they used to throw salt in food. The walking of the bride aroundthe chimney, carried out in her house, is also repeated at the groom’s house.As a custom, one or two little boys, with their parents alive, had toplay around on the mattress of the couple in order to give birth to sons. InKosova, relatives place stones in the mattress of the couple. The removal ofthe bridal veil is generally carried out at the first day of the bride’s arrival.Up to ‘50, Orthodox and Catholic Christians used religious wreaths,whereas Muslims practiced the marriage blessed by the imam.End of the weddingBride’s gift-making. At the end of the wedding, before the dismissalof the guests, the bride gives presents to relatives and friends, mostlysocks, towels, handkerchiefs, etc. Those who receive presents used togive something to the wife also, mostly money. This money was personalwealth included in the common economy and none could interfere.(Tirta, 2003: 313)As a custom, the bride used to go to take water on the third day of herarrival at husband. She will be accompanied by a boy with his parents stillalive, as well as women and girls, guests, etc. As a rule, the bride was takento the well or river and before filling the pots she had to throw coins inthe water, which were then taken by her accompanier. With the water, shewas supposed to wash the boy and then herself. In Mirdite, she had to pourwater to all the guests, accompanying her and those waiting in the house.In Mat and in Kruja highlands, she also added sugar to water in order to besweet with everyone.* * *These rituals and traditions, which continue today, reflect the greatspiritual wealth of Albanian people. The tradition and the rituals havebeen transmitted in centuries and were fanatically preserved. The wedding