How About Some Native American Wedding Traditions?
Mar 30th, 2009 by Neta E. Talmor
Native American culture is rich in tradition and custom. Their wedding ceremonies are no different. Many of the Native American wedding ceremonies are very beautiful. Adding one of these traditions to your upcoming wedding ceremony may add an extra element of spirituality to your nuptials.
In the Native American tradition, the man always asks permission before marrying into the woman’s family. He usually had to ask the priest or shaman. After permission is granted, it is customary for the two families to exchange livestock, food, or other gifts in approval of the upcoming union.
In many tribes the newly wed couples resides with the family of the bride once the wedding ceremony has been performed. It is the responsibility of the new husband to provide for his in-laws and follow directions that are given by his mother-in-law. It is the custom to give the newlywed baskets of corn as gifts. The corn is a symbol of fertility.
An engaged couple of the Algonquin tribe selects four sponsors. Sponsors are older individuals who will provide wisdom and advice to the newly wed couple. In tribes that follow traditions, divorce is not an option. That is the reason for the sponsors; so they can offer advice if the couple should need it. At the wedding ceremony the sponsors make a commitment to provide and guidance to the couple throughout their lifetime.
Native American tribes in Northern California practice two types of marriage, the half marriage and the full marriage. A full marriage takes place if the groom is able to pay the full amount that was requested from the bride’s family. If the groom is only able to pay half of the requested amount, then a half marriage takes place. In a half marriage the couple resides with the family of the bride and the groom is under the authority of his bride’s father.
One traditional Native American wedding ceremony that is used is the fire ceremony. Stones and seven different kinds of wood are used to form a large circle. The wood is placed in a large pile in the center of the stone circle. On each side of the wood pile two small fires are started. One small fire represents the bride and the other one represents the groom. Following a blessing from the priest as well as friends and family the couple each slides their individual fire into the pile of wood in the center. The resulting fire symbolizes their union.
Another popular wedding ceremony is the blanket ceremony. The bride and groom are each wrapped in blue blankets at the beginning of the ceremony. These blankets represent the sorrows the bride and groom have gone through separately. After the marriage is blessed, the blue blankets are removed and the couple is wrapped together in one white blanket to symbolize the act of becoming one.
One more Native American wedding ceremony is the seven steps ceremony. The wedding ceremony starts with lighting a sacred fire. The bride and groom proceed to take exactly seven steps around this fire. The groom takes the first step and then stops to say a vow. The bride follows with a step and recites a vow of her own. The groom will then take another step and recite another vow. This continues until seven steps and seven vows have been completed. It is not uncommon for the couple to exchange corn or stones to show their commitment.
