The Muslim Bedouin Wedding

While the zawag (marriage in Arabic) in Arab countries is very much bound by Islamic laws and traditions, ceremonies often do vary from region to region in some ways. The traditional colourful Bedouin wedding, for instance, has become a valid part of today's Arab culture.

Although the majority of Bedouins have given up their traditional nomadic way of life and have settled into the modern life within towns and cities, complete with computers, Internet and every other modern convenience, weddings are usually still held in the traditional ways.

Typically, the ceremonies start with the proposal, the Al Khoutha. For this, the father of the groom and a selection of close friends and family meet the father of the bride to ask for her hand in marriage.

Negotiations with respect to the marriage contract, known as the Al Akhd, are then entered into. Traditionally, the wedding preparations then get on the way with the bride's hands and feet being decorated with henna by her friends, a ceremony known as Laylat Al Henna.

Al Aadaa, a fun-filled teasing of the groom, asking him to pay for all the decorations on his bride, is next. Shortly after, the groom's family begin to arrive and are warmly welcomed with music, singing and dancing.

The Al Ardha, a war dance, is performed by the men, usually armed with whips and swords. In the meantime, the bride's female relatives display her clothes, jewellery, gifts presented by the family and/ or friends of the groom and a variety of other articles.

Sexes are separated within the goat hair tents. Gifts brought by guests used to consist mostly of sheep, money or rice, but today could well be silver ware, crystal items or even a TV or other modern article.

The celebrations eventually end after a week with the bride, riding on a comfortable, specially designed saddle on top of a camel, departs to the groom's home. She will return a week later with gifts to show her family that she is being well cared for in a home of plentiful resources.

The gifts presented are not the only thing modernized in Bedouin weddings. Courtships, as all Muslim dating, are restricted by Islamic laws. To find partners in often distant towns and cities, many are making use of their computers and date through dating sites like Alnaddy before meeting in person.

Accepted by most families, this alternative offers a wider choice of potential spouses and allows people to ensure they really are compatible through morally safe and prolonged interaction.