Ladhaki Marriage Traditions

Nature has left a given immense beauty to Ladhak and left an indelible mark on the folk performances of Ladhak as they are intimately interlined with the moods and movements of the seasons. People of Ladhak like the people from the other mountainous regions lead a very simple life. They are away from the modern living. Social occasions provide an opportunity to sing and dance. They also revel in the joys their simple life affords them Ladhak marriage provides a great occasion to perform ceremonies. The ceremony lasts for at least a couple of days. In Ladhak, marriage is conducted with great enthusiasm. It presents a mix of music, dance, joy and laughter.

Marriage proposal comes from the boy’s side. Marriages are usually initiated by the boy’ parents when he is around 20 years of age. Girl is generally two or four years younger than the boy.

To make a proposal, a relative goes to the house of bride.

If the proposal is accepted, lamas are consulted to select an auspicious date.

Relatives or family member of the boy gives a ring, butter, tea and chang to the girl. If the gifts are accepted, then marriage follows the next month. The boy offers the necklace and clothes to the girl. Clothes, animals and land are given to the couple by the girl’s parents. These gifts are known as dowry or raqtqaq. The bride goes to live with in the groom’s house.

The main feature of this wedding is the recitation of long narratives. Marriage songs are sung by the wedding party led by the leader. Unique costumes which are especially made for the ceremonies are worn by the singers. Jabro dance form is peculiar to Chang-thang and Rong areas of Ladakh region. This dance is performed by the males and females facing each other forming rows and circles. They dance leaping hand in hand forwards and backwards reciting melodious songs.

It is a community dance of the nomadic people of Tibetan origin living in the high hill of Ladhak.

Another popular dance is Alley zate which is basically the dance of shepherds of Zanskar area of Ladakh region. It is a combination of poetry and dance.

The Ladakhi marriage dance Bagstonrches continues for weeks during the marriage ceremonies. The bride and bridegroom also join in. The dances are usually performed in tune with the songs. Surna and Damman are played with these dances.

Bride and groom are dressed in their traditional attires. Ladakhi women wear an ornament called sondus or brasshill. It is a symbol of marriage. An extraordinary head dress called perak which has 20 to 200 large turquoise and other stones set across wide leather pieces. It begins below the forehead and goes till the waist.

Special wedding meal consists of pava which is prepared by boiling peas and barley flour in water until the peas are hard. Skir is another dish which is like a hotpot of meat, potatoes, grain and some vegetables. Gyatug is a dish of long vermicelli like strips of tsampa over which minced meat and flavored sauce is poured.

Community feast is the part of the ceremony where relatives and neighbors join to be the part of celebration.

Blessing of the lamas and monks are also taken on the marriage.

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