Indian marriages are definitely a treat to the attendees. Because Indian marriage is full of unique traditions, culture and food in particular. The cultures vary from state to state and community to community. For instance, the traditions in Santhali matrimony are different from other community matrimony traditions.
But the emotions and feelings are the same in all kinds of marriages from different cultures. The process starts from the kundali matching the horoscopes of the bride and groom. Afterwards, there will be an engagement ceremony where they decide the muhurta and other relevant things for a marriage.
During the older times, the families, their relatives and their friends will involve in the marriage preparations. As time goes on and everyone gets busy with their work and other things. It makes things harder for them to involve in the marriage preparations. That’s when a marriage planner can save you from the Santhali matrimony stress.
But for them to work they should know the Santhali matrimony traditions. Because Sanhtali matrimony traditions are different from other Indian traditions. To help you to help your marriage planner we have listed some important Santhali matrimony traditions. Let’s look at the Santhali matrimony traditions that you need to know about.
Raebar
Raebar is the first step in the normal Santhali matrimony which is basically a match-making process. In this process, the groom’s father will find a responsible person to find a suitable match for his son. That person will search for a suitable bride based on the requirements from the groom’s side.
Once they find a potential bride, then they will fix a suitable date for ‘Nepel’. Nepel is nothing but the meeting of the families of the potential groom and bride for the Santhali matrimony. Usually, this meeting takes place in a commonplace. This is the most important step of kirin bahu bapla (a normal arranged marriage).
Betrothal ceremony
This ceremony takes place in both the bride and groom’s places with different names. The basic concept of this ceremony is to visit each other’s houses and offer them gifts. When the bride’s family visits the groom’s village, it is called Jawae Dhuti.
In Jawae Dhuti, the bride’s father, relatives and the village headmen will go to the groom’s village. Where they will be received by the groom’s side relatives and village headmen. After this, the groom will place a ‘lota’ before the bride’s father and sits on his thighs. Then they will offer them food and rice beer to drink. The bride’s father will give some gifts to the groom.
Bahu Bande is the vice versa of Jawae Dhuti. In Bahu Bande, the groom’s family and relatives will visit the bride’s village. Later they will give gifts to the bride. The betrothal ceremony is to signify a contract between the bride and groom’s family. They will also consider the gifts as a seal and testimony. In addition, this is also to prevent the boy and girl from involving in another marriage.
Mandwa
Mandwa is nothing but the marriage shed or mandap where the Santhali matrimony will take place. The marriage shed will be set up two to three days before the Santhali matrimony. But before the Mandwa set-up takes place, the bride’s father will give some items to the village priest. The items are three fowls, a pot of rice beer and some rice.
Dak’bapla
This is known as a water marriage ceremony in the Santhali matrimony. Usually, this ceremony takes place one day before the groom’s side leaves to bride’s house. All the relatives, village people and village headmen will gather under the Mandwa. The ceremony begins with anointing the people gathered. The anointing ceremony goes in the following order, the village headmen and wife, the village people. The groom’s parents will be the last ones on the list for the anointing ceremony.
After this, the groom’s side will leave for the bride’s village. There the bride’s family welcome them and then the Salutation ceremony begins. Once the Salutation ceremony ends, then they will have food and rice beer.
Waving Ceremony
There are usually two waving ceremonies that take place after the Sindradan. Sindradan is nothing but the act of smearing the bride’s forehead with Vermilion by the groom. The first waving ceremony takes place before the entry of couples to the bride’s house. The second waving ceremony takes place the next morning. This will happen under the Mandwa where the relatives, families and the couple will gather. The Santhali matrimony traditions come to an end with the farewell ceremony.
