| Kurdish Culture | | | | and know each other. According to Kurdish wedding |
| Kurdish culture has distinctive traits that are very | | | | traditional culture, the ceremony kicks off only when |
| dissimilar to Toronto traits. Kurdish traditions are similar | | | | the man is pleased with the girl and agrees to marry |
| to those of the Iranians. Some of these similarities | | | | her. When this happens, the elderly guests request the |
| include the celebration of different occasions like | | | | girl's parents to hand their daughter for marriage. When |
| weddings. Additionally, both cultures celebrate Newroz, | | | | both girl and young man are happy and satisfied, the |
| which is their New Year celebration. Newroz is | | | | wedding ceremony is prepared. Unlike Toronto |
| celebrated on twenty first of March. Kurds are | | | | weddings, this wedding is prepared within the same |
| considered as moderate Muslims thus the less | | | | day. |
| observation of Islamic rules. For example, Kurdish | | | | Actual Wedding Ceremony |
| culture allows women to work outside their homes. | | | | Just like Toronto weddings, Kurdish people celebrate |
| Unlike other Muslims, Kurdish cultures have less | | | | during unification of a man and a woman. During this |
| restriction about women wearing the hijab. The Kurdish | | | | ceremony, there is performance of music performed |
| people also have unique wedding cultures admired by | | | | by traditional musicians. According to Kurdish culture, |
| many people around the world. | | | | there are three categories of music performance. This |
| | | | includes storytellers, minstrels as well as bards. Majority |
| Unlike Toronto weddings, three or four men and | | | | of songs performed are meant to cement love |
| women with an advanced age visits the brides home | | | | between the lovers. Some songs have an epic |
| before the ceremony as dictated by the Kurdish | | | | characteristic because they praise the wedding |
| wedding traditional culture. In the first day of visit, the | | | | couples as heroes and winners. According to Kurdish |
| visitors tell the bride's parents the reasons for their visit. | | | | culture, music performance stars one day prior to the |
| The purpose of this visit is to inform the girl's parents | | | | wedding occasion. |
| about their interest in her to get married to one of their | | | | On the actual day just like in Toronto, the groom puts |
| own. After explaining their motive, the girl's parent may | | | | a ring on the bride's finger while present audience |
| agree or refuse to hand their daughter for marriage. | | | | celebrates the occasion in song and dance. As song |
| When the girl's parents show some interest, the guests | | | | and dance is taking place, the young man's relatives |
| ask for some water. The girl's parents then ask her to | | | | offer presents and gifts to girl's parents. This serves |
| serve the guests with water. The objective of this act | | | | as a sign of appreciation. According to Kurdish |
| is to give guests a chance to view the girl's stature, | | | | wedding traditional culture, the ceremony ends after |
| character as well as appearance. According to | | | | presentation of shara buke, which is a shawl, placed |
| Kurdish wedding traditional culture, the girl is supposed | | | | on the bride's head. The shawl must have white, |
| to stand there until the guest finish drinking water. If the | | | | yellow as well as red colors on it. Two rings are put on |
| guests are impressed with the girl, they organize a | | | | the bride's finger. Following Kurdish wedding traditional |
| second visit. In the second visit, the guest comes along | | | | culture, the main ring symbolizes engagement while the |
| with the man intending to marry the girl. The elderly | | | | second ring symbolizes the right of the husband to visit |
| guests introduce the man to the girl and her parents. | | | | the home of the bride any time he wishes. |
| This gives the young girl and man a chance to interact | | | | |