Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Journal #17

Thai Wedding Day

Thai wedding is special and magical tradition. The most special and interesting part in Thai wedding is the engagement ceremony called “Khan Mark” which take place prior to the wedding. Khan Mark is a ceremony that the groom’s family dances their way to the bride’s home. The groom’s parents has to bring “Sin Sod” to the bride’s parents as they demand such as ring, money, gold, jewelry along with two banana trees, two sugar-cane tree, meats and candy (for good luck). The groom has to pass through many gates that the bride’s family put together. Each gate is made from the gold or silver necklace ropes blocking between the doors. The groom has to make an attempt to pass each gate by bribing the keeper of the gate until gets to the bride. Then the groom will offer the bride’s ring and this considered the end of engagement ceremony. The wedding ceremony starts when the bride and groom receive a blessing from the monk. After the monks finish their blessing, the guests (start with elderly) will pour water on the hand of groom and bride and give them their blessing. In the evening, there will be a wedding reception celebration for the bride and groom. After the dinner reception, the bride and groom will be sent to the room by the elderly and finally the ceremony ends at this point.

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