Mingalaba, we are going to present traditional wedding ceremony where tying the couple’s hands with a shawl is the centerpiece.

Mandalay, the old royal city and the second capital city of modern Myanmar, still observes tradition and most of its natives conduct wedding ceremony in traditional way.

Here, the matrimonial knot is tied by a couple of respectable social standing in the city. The hands of the bride and groom are tied in a knot with a white shawl. Citizens who love and treasure tradition prefer this rite. Let’s have a look at the ceremony.

On every auspicious occasion, offertory dedicated to Lord Buddha and good spirits is prepared containing banana, coconut, Eugenia sprigs and jasmines.

Requisites of the wedding ceremony are collected including a white shawl, a large silver bowl filled with scented water, five bouquets of Eugenia and gladiolus.

As the occasion calls for, every belle put on her shining best. The bride put on the best in town: make up, wardrobe and jewellery.

The groom also put on appropriate and matching attire for the auspicious occasion.

Now that the bride and the groom are shining in their best as one may imagine, the bride’s footwear gold bangles and the royal velvet slippers are eye-catching and absolutely peculiar.

As most of the guests have taken their seats, classical melodies are played and sung. Respectable personage well versed in Myanmar culture and traditions usually emcees this kind of wedding ceremony.

The M.C reads out a lyrical ode composing the social status and achievements of the bride and the groom as well as the parents from both sides. Then he invites the bride, the groom and the parents to enter the wedding hall.

The bride and the groom in separate company enter the hall while befitting wedding song is being played melodiously. It is the most exciting time for all those present.

When the bride and the groom with their retinue ascend the dais, they bow to the audience courteously and sit on the velvet settee.

Prominent elder couple with a background of happy and faithful married life carries out the wedding ceremony.

The bride and the groom pay obeisance dedicated to the Lord Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, the Teachers and the Parents with five bouquets of Eugenia and gladiolus.

Next the groom clasps the right palm of the bride with his right palm, which is tied in a knot with white shawl by the eminent couple. Scented water is poured over the knot. The eminent elder couple then clasps the knotted hands of the newlyweds.

Tying the hands in a knot with white shawl is meant to prosper fidelity and longevity of a happy wedded life. As the flow of water can never be cut apart, the pouring of scented water indicates the peaceful, pleasant and everlasting bond of married life.

The eminent elder couple also gives a pair of jasmine garlands first to the groom and next to the bride.

The ceremony is complete after wedding rings, made in the same form and weight, are give to the newly weds.

In commemoration of the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds serve honourable guests with sumptuous feast.

As the ceremony ends, the newlyweds become responsible personages to look after their parents and to live in harmony according to Myanmar noble traditions.

We have been presenting mainstream wedding ceremonies. Our country has many nationals with differing and interesting customs. We hope to present those variations in future.

Thank you.