Weddings in Jordanian culture are unlike traditional weddings in the West. It concludes three main stages. The first stage is the pre-engagement stage, when the mother of the groom visits her son’s potential bride-to-be to speak with her to get to know her in private. Then, the family of the groom makes “Jaha’ in which a group of men get together for a certain social purpose. In most cases, the main purpose of “Jaha” is to get two people married. Then the family of the groom will formally make a proposal to the bride to be on behalf of her son, although the son will generally have spoken to her prior to his. If the bride accepts, then the immediate families will meet and read AL Fatiha ( The opening of the Qur’an) to gather as a recognition of the engagement, and they gather to bring an assortment of sweets to the bride’s house, where her family serves coffee and tea to know each other.
The Henna Night:
Traditionally held on a Wednesday, the women of the family of the groom head to the bride’s house to paint intricate patterns on the hands of the bride with paste made from dried henna leaves, and some of Jordanian families held specific dishes and that depending on the area of celebration.
One of the most important type of Jordanian weddings is Dabkeh
Dabkah (Jordanian National Dance) As far as traditionalism goes The Dabkah expresses it all the way from the music to the movement of the legs, where the dancers (females or males) form a semi-circle and holding their hands together and start hitting their legs to the ground powerfully to a Jordanian folklore music. Dabkah is very important to Jordan’s culture, as being performed at weddings, parties and happy occasions.
The Wedding:
Traditional Jordanian wedding, prior to the wedding party itself, celebrations traditionally begin on a Tuesday. Often seen as a warm up event, the family of the groom celebrate the upcoming marriage with music, tea, and lots of dancing. In addition, over recent years many people are opting, to move away from traditional wedding customs in favor of more modern hotel-held do’s, but in some areas tradition still stands strong.