Music & Rituals: Russian/Slavic Weddings
One ritual that is typically celebrated no matter where you are in the world is a wedding. Sometimes these last a night, or entire weeks. I was raised by Catholic parents, and most of us have had Christian weddings drilled into our brains from a very young age. So I wondered, "Hmm...what would a traditional Slavic or Russian wedding entail?"
After digging around, Russian weddings haven't really changed much since the 12th-15th centuries. Weddings can last between 2 days and a week depending on the family. The groom must pay what is known as a ransom for his bride, and this usually ends up being quite comical to the bride's family. The exchange of rings is not done at the ceremony itself, but right before during what is known to be the Betrothal. Because Russia is primarily Eastern Orthodox, marriage is considered a "Sacred Mystery," meaning that the priest places crowns on the couple's heads, signifying their marriage during the traditional ceremony. The wedding then transitions into a civil ceremony, where the couple has their marriage finalized at the Department of Public Services (ZAGS). Both the bride and groom break a glass, and sometimes balloons are released to signify a new life together. The couple then tours the city and returns for a long reception, with drinking, partying, and celebrating all night. (Russian Weddings - Wikipedia)
Image description: Crowning ceremony during the traditional Eastern Orthodox ceremony.
Now the most important part, music!
Album: Authentic Wedding Russian Folk Songs - Sloboda Ensemble
Although this album was released in 2014, each of the songs on this album originated from the 15th-16th centuries throughout different areas of Russia. I couldn't find much description on when specifically these songs would have been played during a ceremony, but I feel like the tempo and melody can give a good indication of the vibes of the pieces.
Hey Alyssa, it is nice to see a very new culture and its music here!
ReplyDeleteI like your typesetting of the first two videos and the words, its nice!
Back on the topic, I think an element made me had strong relationship with russian music, which is the accordion, and I think it appeared in the second video, it has that kind of Different taste and happy feeling.
I think rhe russian nowadays like the music of "pretty women" song because i think in general russian people tend to be straight when they express their feelings, so this song suits for them, absolutely!
And the last song, yeah, absolutely they are energetic! And the dance made me laugh a lot.
In China we call russian people as "战斗民族", in translation to "tribe of fighting" . But the meaning express as being very energitic and excited all time, love to dance love to sing love that kind of Passionate.
I'm surprised I haven't really gotten to Russia at all in most my education. I find the similarities yet small differences between traditional Catholic weddings and the ones you provided information on here to be interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, weddings always intrigue me because the American conception of a wedding is frankly kind of boring. This music is so celebratory and outright communicative - such as "Secrets of Snow." It's better than any old DJ.
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