Within the ancient Tajik ethnic group, who lead a semi-nomadic life, singing in antiphonal style between young people in the expansive grassland is a popular way to make friends and express love. Such tradition is passed down from generation to generation. When falling in love, the boy will secretly send a pair of ear-rings to the girl, who gives an embroidered bag in return. While the boy is keeping herds on highland grazing grounds, he may receive the token with a burnt match from his lover, which means she misses him very much. And then the boy will send a small yellow bag filled with almonds and pebbles tied together by hair to show his deep love.
Red Veil - Engagement Gift
As to engagement, the boy's father, brothers, friends and a female relative will go to the girl's home with a lot of engagement gifts, including a four-meter-long red veil. At the end of the engagement ceremony, the girl will be seen with this red head-piece to imply that she is now the fiancée.
Wedding Ceremony
The marriage festivity of the Tajik people usually lasts three days until the bride removes her veil. After the young couples are engaged, close relatives of both sides will ride horses to invite other relatives and friends over two days before the wedding ceremony. What is more important, they must visit families in unfortunate situations and show hospitality to these guests. Then the guests wipe their tears and give sincere blessings to the engaged couple by hitting the tambourine, an indication that the marriage festivities can start.
On the night before the wedding, all relatives and villagers will be invited to get together at the bridegroom's home and the bride's home respectively. Sometimes the female guests will spray some flour on the wall of the host's house to celebrate. While the guests are singing and dancing, the bridegroom and the bride will put on their wedding outfits. Moreover, the bride will be locked in a small room and covered with a thick bed quilt till she sweats a lot. According to the local custom, the bride will looks more beautiful this way.
On the afternoon of the wedding day, the groom, accompanied by his friends, goes to the bride's home. On their way to the girl's home, the hostess of each household will offer a bowl of milk and ghee to the boy and spray flour on his shoulder to express best wishes.
After arriving at the bride's home, the bridegroom will drink a bowl of milk and ghee at first and present engagement gifts such as gold, silver, animals and clothes to the bride's family. Having entered the bride's room, a religious priest presides over the nuptial ceremony. He first sprays some flour on the groom and bride, and then asks them to exchange rings tied with strips of red and white cloth, indicating that they will from that time on live together all their lives.
On the following day, the newlyweds, escorted by a band, ride on horseback to the groom's home, where further celebrations are held.
