Over the last week we noticed that our neighbors were having a tent constructed in their yard. Our assumption was that there was going to be a wedding. It turned out that we were right. On Thursday evening Ray and Drew went over to the reception to offer congratulations and were invited in for "refreshments." The hosts insisted that he call the house and invite all of us to come over. Ellen came and told us that we had all been invited to the wedding next door and to hurry over. I felt a tad bit awkward walking in to a tent full of strangers. We were ushered in to the back portion of the tent where they were serving dinner to the guests. The hospitality that was shown to us was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. They were completely honored to have us, foreigners whom they really didn't know, as their guests. I don't know a single North American who would invite foreigners living next door to their wedding! We were served what could easily be the best meal I've had since coming to India. We of course ate with our hands and before we could even get through what we had on our plates they were ladling on more. I felt like we were the guests of honor as members of the bride's family came and visited with us. One lady said that they had wanted to invite us but because we were always coming and going in the Sumo they had never had a chance to talk to us. They were very concerned that we know how welcome we were and what an honor it was for them to have us there. They also wanted to be sure that all of our "party" had come. I think the fact that we currently have 12 people living in our house maybe makes us the largest party of wedding crashers known to man. It was explained to us that at 9:30 in the evening the groom would come to get his bride. They would then go to the temple where the wedding ceremony would be preformed. We didn't actually get to see the ceremony but it was a wonderful experience nonetheless.
The photo is hazy because they were smudging. It helped to ward of the mosquitoes.
The Muirhead's first time eating with their hands.
Our new friend, Micky.
These two ladies work for the people who live on the first floor of our house.
With the bride and some of her family.
The photo is hazy because they were smudging. It helped to ward of the mosquitoes.
The Muirhead's first time eating with their hands.
Our new friend, Micky.
These two ladies work for the people who live on the first floor of our house.
With the bride and some of her family.
3 comments:
What an awesome experience! Weddings give interesting insights into culture. I was lucky to have the chance to go to a wedding in Mizoram with Autumn- it was really neat. Looks like fun!
Glad you got to experience an India wedding!!
Sharon
In Sanskrit there is a couplet which states that the server should keep serving (and piling up food on the plate) no matter if the guest protests saying "No", and the piling up should continue until the moment when the guest covers his/her plate with both hands. I guess, your hosts just did that!
I do not know the couplet myself, but my father, a Sanskrit enthusiast, and a maternal uncle, a Sanskrit professor often used to mention this during family gatherings/dinners. (I'm an Assamese, by the way.)
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