When Tradition Meets Modernity: A Tale of Two Pashtun Wedding Celebrations

In Pakistan, a marriage of two individuals has got to have at least two separate wedding celebrations. One for the bride’s family and the other for the groom’s family. In this wedding, the bride’s family has opted for a modern version of Pakistani wedding while the groom’s family holds on to their tradition--a typical Pashtun or Pathan village wedding celebration in which most of the preparations for the occasion are voluntarily done by the groom’s family and friends. In Pakistani jargon, going to a wedding means going to a wedding reception or celebration, at least, in the Western point of view. It is because the wedding ceremonial rites along with the signing of the marriage contract should happen at least some days before the celebration in a closed-door affair usually attended only by the marrying parties along with their parents and their witnesses. In Islamic terminology, this procedure is called Nikkah. #pakistaniwedding #pashtowedding #pashtoculture