The traditional Diné wedding is based on the mating of the young maiden, White Shell Woman, and the Sun God in the White World. The following procedures of today’s wedding ceremony may vary depending on geographical location and customs are as follows:
The wedding takes place at the bride’s residence in a traditional hooghan. The groom is seated on the west side in the hooghan and his relatives are seated to his left. The bride’s relatives enter the hooghan and are seated to the right.
An uncle or a well-respected male individual is appointed as the wedding ceremony performer. He brings in a traditional pot of water and a gourd dipper. The bride immediately follows carrying a wedding basket containing com mush. The bride sits beside the groom with the water pot and basket placed in front of them side by side. The basket is to remain in place throughout the initial wedding ceremony.
The person who brings in water is seated to right-hand side of the couple. The groom’s parents present the bride’s parents with gifts of values as agreed. The wedding ceremony performer proceeds with pouring the water into the gourd dipper. The bride then pours water onto the groom’s hands to rinse his hands. The groom repeats this process for the bride.
A song or a prayer may be done before proceeding to the blessing of the com mush. The blessing of the com mush is performed by sprinkling com pollen from west to east and back to west then from south to north and back to south in a straight line and crossing at the center on the com mush. Then in one circular motion, a sprinkle is made beginning from the east to south, west, north and ending to the east, but the circle is not enclosed. An opening is always left to the east representing an entrance and exit for the way of life.
The performer will place a dab of com pollen east on the com mush then the groom will take a small portion of the mush and com pollen to eat. The bride will then take a small portion of the mush and com pollen to eat. The same procedures are performed for the remaining cardinal directions and center of the com mush.
After this blessing, the groom and bride are pronounced husband and wife. They are directed to continue eating more of the com mush. The com mush will also be shared with the groom’s relatives first and then with the bride’s relatives. When all the mush has been eaten the basket is given to the groom’s mother to keep in her family.
A feast proceeds after the wedding ceremony. The wife’s relatives will provide all of the food for the feast. During the feast, traditional moral practices of motivational and fundamental speeches of advises are given to the newly wed based on the holistic values and guiding principles of parenting, family well-being, and their roles and responsibilities as husband and wife. These speakers may be parents, relatives, leaders, medicine-people, and elders.
The traditional pot and the water used in the ceremony represent the Mother Earth containing grandmother and grandfather Holy Water of Life. The gourd dipper represents the roots, growth, interweaving, and reseeding of life. The water is poured on the hands for cleansing of certain wrongs that may have been committed and symbolizes the transition from individualism to a beginning of unity and sharing of the roles. and responsibilities.
The significant of the Diné traditional basket represents the creation. It is crafted from the center and proceeds in the footprints of life in the opposite path of the sun and the shadow. The base is the foundation of life, the Mother Earth, and the outer edge is the foundation of the Father Universe
Source
The wedding takes place at the bride’s residence in a traditional hooghan. The groom is seated on the west side in the hooghan and his relatives are seated to his left. The bride’s relatives enter the hooghan and are seated to the right.
An uncle or a well-respected male individual is appointed as the wedding ceremony performer. He brings in a traditional pot of water and a gourd dipper. The bride immediately follows carrying a wedding basket containing com mush. The bride sits beside the groom with the water pot and basket placed in front of them side by side. The basket is to remain in place throughout the initial wedding ceremony.
The person who brings in water is seated to right-hand side of the couple. The groom’s parents present the bride’s parents with gifts of values as agreed. The wedding ceremony performer proceeds with pouring the water into the gourd dipper. The bride then pours water onto the groom’s hands to rinse his hands. The groom repeats this process for the bride.
A song or a prayer may be done before proceeding to the blessing of the com mush. The blessing of the com mush is performed by sprinkling com pollen from west to east and back to west then from south to north and back to south in a straight line and crossing at the center on the com mush. Then in one circular motion, a sprinkle is made beginning from the east to south, west, north and ending to the east, but the circle is not enclosed. An opening is always left to the east representing an entrance and exit for the way of life.
The performer will place a dab of com pollen east on the com mush then the groom will take a small portion of the mush and com pollen to eat. The bride will then take a small portion of the mush and com pollen to eat. The same procedures are performed for the remaining cardinal directions and center of the com mush.
After this blessing, the groom and bride are pronounced husband and wife. They are directed to continue eating more of the com mush. The com mush will also be shared with the groom’s relatives first and then with the bride’s relatives. When all the mush has been eaten the basket is given to the groom’s mother to keep in her family.
A feast proceeds after the wedding ceremony. The wife’s relatives will provide all of the food for the feast. During the feast, traditional moral practices of motivational and fundamental speeches of advises are given to the newly wed based on the holistic values and guiding principles of parenting, family well-being, and their roles and responsibilities as husband and wife. These speakers may be parents, relatives, leaders, medicine-people, and elders.
The traditional pot and the water used in the ceremony represent the Mother Earth containing grandmother and grandfather Holy Water of Life. The gourd dipper represents the roots, growth, interweaving, and reseeding of life. The water is poured on the hands for cleansing of certain wrongs that may have been committed and symbolizes the transition from individualism to a beginning of unity and sharing of the roles. and responsibilities.
The significant of the Diné traditional basket represents the creation. It is crafted from the center and proceeds in the footprints of life in the opposite path of the sun and the shadow. The base is the foundation of life, the Mother Earth, and the outer edge is the foundation of the Father Universe
Source
This was so amazing to learn/see/feel and be so very proud of a Strong & Cultural Nation <3 <3 <3