What Are The Customs Of Engagement And Marriage In Afghanistan?

Afghan weddings are a unique celebration of the country’s rich cultural heritage and timeless traditions. The mehndi ceremony, where the bride’s hands are adorned with intricate henna designs, symbolizes beauty and good fortune. These traditional ceremonies are both formal and hospitable, making them a representative celebration of conventional Afghan life and culture.

In recent years, there has been a shift in Afghan wedding customs, with people increasingly embracing and reviving their ancient cultural traditions. The most important tradition that ties the bride and groom in a single relation is Nikah, which usually takes place on the big day. It is a religious ceremony where the two families agree on the marriage contract. The wedding feast, called Walima, can last for two days in some cultures.

Traditional rituals such as tying the bride and groom’s waist, stealing shoes (pakistani tradition), and closing the ceremony are part of the Afghan wedding tradition. The Aroosi, or wedding reception, includes the night of traditional henna application. Takhtjami, the bride’s family presents food at her new home, and men dance and eat together.

The engagement is followed by the Khina (Henna) night, where the bride wears a special dress and silver jewelry, while the groom wears traditional Afghan jami and lungi. The traditional engagement party called Shirini-kori is followed by an engagement period, but everyone agreed to skip it. By dressing in traditional attire and performing traditional dances, Afghans reconnect with their roots and ensure that their wedding day is unforgettable.

What are engagement traditions?

The engagement party is a custom that involves the person who is asking the question kneeling down in front of the other person. After the proposal, families often come together for music, food, and dancing, which fosters bonding and planning the wedding together.

What is the average age that a woman girl gets married in Afghanistan?

Child marriage is a prevalent issue in Afghanistan, with up to 57 percent of girls getting married before they are 19. Factors such as gender dynamics, family structure, cultural, political, and economic perceptions influence the age at which girls marry. The practice has negative consequences for girls, including the inability to obtain education and work independently, and physical harm due to not being developed for childbirth.

Afghan Civil Law Article 40 defines marriage as a contract between male and female for family establishment, with the legal age being 16 for females and 18 for males. However, regional customs and Sharia law often take precedence over national law, leading to shortcomings in the implementation of civil law, resulting in child marriages.

In conclusion, child marriage is a significant issue in Afghanistan, affecting more girls than boys. Factors such as gender dynamics, family structure, cultural, political, and economic perceptions influence the age at which girls marry.

What age can a girl marry in Afghanistan?

The legal marriageable age in Afghanistan is 16 for girls and 18 for boys, as per Article 70 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Afghanistan 1977 and Article 99 of the Shiite Personal Status Law. Marriages below 16 can be concluded with the permission of a father or judge. The Muslim population in Afghanistan is governed differently by the Sunni majority and Shia minority, with Sharia law and customary law overlaping. Marriages below the minimum legal age are permissible within both religious sects.

Are Afghan men loyal?

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has a strong Islamic culture, with values such as hospitality, loyalty, and modesty. However, constant conflict has significantly impacted Afghan culture and daily life, instilling resilience as an essential trait. Despite its troubles, Afghanistan is a beautiful country with amazing people. The relentless conflicts of the late 20th and 21st century have produced generations of Afghans who have rarely experienced peace.

Many Afghans view themselves as survivors and hold a stronger sense of loyalty for their kin, tribe, or ethnicity than their national identity. Some older Afghans may view the hardships and political turmoil as a recent chapter in a much longer peaceful history.

How many wives can a man have in Afghanistan?

The Republic of Afghanistan, an Islamic Republic under Sharia Law, permits polygyny for men, allowing them to take up to four wives. However, these regulations are rarely followed, with an unspecified number of women allowed as concubines. Infertility is a common reason for a man to take another wife, and due to the stigma placed on divorce in Afghan society, polygamous relationships are adopted to cope with differences between husband and wife. Most Afghan women would rather be a man’s third or fourth wife than remain single, even if they are abused or unfairly treated by their husband.

Polygamous marriages are more common for wealthy men to acquire more land shares, property, wealth, and children. In northern Afghanistan, skilled women in weaving carpets and rugs are considered a resource to contribute to the family’s income. Older men often marry younger girls in polygamous marriages, and widowed women are forced to remarry in case of death. Men are obligated to marry the widow of a male family member, and a widow who refuses to remarry an in-law faces the possibility of losing custody of their children.

However, polygamy is not universally approved by all Afghan men, with some men preferring monogamist relationships due to concerns about domestic trouble in Afghan harems. Disapproval of polygamy is primarily due to disputes among women married to the same man.

What happens at an Afghan wedding?

Nikah is a religious ceremony held on the wedding day, where the couple agrees on the marriage contract. The bride is expected to wear green clothes and is a private event with only the couple’s immediate family and the mullah, Islamic clergy. After the ceremony, the bride removes her green clothes and wears white garments. The groom wears a suit during the ceremony. The couple enjoys a feast, takes pictures, and cuts a cake together. The wedding ceremony begins with women standing in line and men welcoming guests, with the groom and bride’s families leading guests to their tables.

What are the rules for marriage in Afghanistan?

In Afghanistan, it is not permitted for non-Muslim men to marry Muslim women. However, there is no such restriction on the part of Muslim men marrying non-Muslim women who are foreign nationals. The court will not register marriages involving Afghans who claim not to be Muslim unless the couple consents to a Muslim religious ceremony.

How do marriages typically come about in Afghanistan?

A close friend or brother arranges the engagement or marriage contract, with the men agreeing and the engagement party scheduled. This process can take up to a year. When a family wants to engage their son, women participate in parties with other families, learn about the family’s background, and ask about her work experience. They visit her house and hope she prepares tea and refreshments for the first time, with the boy’s family observing her without saying anything. This process helps ensure a successful engagement and marriage.

What is done in engagement ceremony?

The Sagai or Mangni is a significant engagement ceremony in many cultures, where the couple announces their intention to wed. The ceremony typically takes place in the bride’s house, where the bride-to-be receives gifts from the groom’s family. In some places, the couple exchanges rings, with the bride receiving a gold ring and the groom a watch or gold chain. The Haldi ceremony, one or two days before the wedding, is a pre-wedding event where the bride and husband are covered in a paste made of sandalwood, turmeric, and other plants.

This private event takes place at the couple’s residences, and is believed to protect them from evil spirits and purify them. The Haldi event is a joyous occasion that allows families to get along and enjoy themselves.

What is the engagement tradition in Afghanistan?

In Afghanistan, traditional engagement customs entail the groom and his family formally requesting the bride’s hand from her father, a practice known as a “𝘓𝘢𝘷𝘻.”

What is a traditional engagement ceremony?

In Puerto Rico, engagements are primarily centered around the ring, with the person asking the question getting down on their knees. Following the proposal, families often gather for an engagement party, where they bond and plan the wedding together. Mexican culture places a strong emphasis on family, as seen in Mexican wedding traditions. The serenata is a key symbol in Mexican wedding proposals, representing romance, commitment, and the blending of musical heritage with personal love stories.

The serenata is a declaration of love and intent, often witnessed by family and neighbors. The suitor serenades their beloved with a mariachi band and often includes a large bouquet of flowers, with roses being the most popular. If hiring a band and florist is overwhelming, some planners and hotels offer serenata proposal packages. The evening is filled with emotion, reflecting the couple’s love and the cultural heritage of Mexico. The celebration continues with a private dinner at a boutique hotel and a sun-soaked day on a yacht, making for an unforgettable engagement experience.