Afghan society is very family oriented. Many social events and traditional ceremonies are celebrated with immediate and extended family members, neighbors, and friends. Being a traditional society, Afghanistan has many ceremonies with roots in tradition and religion. Two important occasions that bring friends and relatives together are births and weddings (\u0639\u0631\u0648\u0633\u0649). (Dari Alphabet for \u0639\u0631\u0648\u0633\u0649 \u0639 \u0631 \u0648 \u0633 \u0649)<\/p>\n
In the countryside, the birth of a baby boy may be celebrated with gunfire if the boy is born to well-off parents. Relatives, friends, and neighbors visit and a major celebration takes place on the sixth evening after the birth, and people bring gifts for the newborn.<\/p>\n
Afghans marriages take place through matchmaking by parents and\/or older relatives.<\/p>\n
Engagement is a smaller ceremony called shireeni khori<\/i><\/b>,<\/b> <\/b>(\u0634\u064a\u0631\u064a\u0646\u064a<\/b> <\/b>\u062e\u0648\u0631\u064a<\/b>) eating sweets. (Dari Alphabet for \u0634\u064a\u0631\u064a\u0646\u064a<\/b> <\/b>\u062e\u0648\u0631\u064a<\/b> \u062e \u0648 \u0631 \u0649 – \u0634 \u0649 \u0631 \u0646 \u0649 \u00a0)<\/p>\n
Preparations for the wedding are elaborate and take place days in advance. On the eve of the wedding, the religious ceremony called nekah<\/i> <\/i>(\u0646\u06a9\u0627\u062d<\/b>) (Dari Alphabet for \u0646\u06a9\u0627\u062d<\/b> <\/b>\u0646 \u06a9 \u0627 \u0647<\/b> )<\/p>\n
takes place first. This is when the bride must audibly agree to her marriage to the groom in order for the marriage to be legal. Nekah <\/i>is attended by close family members of the bride and the groom. Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract; both bride and groom have the liberty to define various terms and conditions of their liking and make them a part of this contract.<\/p>\n
Mahr (\u0645\u0647\u0631<\/b>) (Dari Alphabet for \u0645\u0647\u0631<\/b> \u0645 \u0647 \u0631)<\/p>\n
The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract.<\/p>\n
Sermon<\/b> (\u062e\u0637\u0628\u0647<\/b> <\/b>\u0646\u06a9\u0627\u062d<\/b>) (Dari Alphabet for \u062e\u0637\u0628\u0647 <\/b>\u0646\u06a9\u0627\u062d<\/b> <\/b>\u062e \u0637 \u0628 \u0647\u00a0 \u0646 \u06a9 \u0627 \u0647<\/b> <\/b>)<\/p>\n
The assembly of nikah is addressed with a marriage sermon (khutba-tun-nikah) by the Muslim official. In marriage societies, normally, a state appointed Muslim judge called Qazi (\u0642\u0627\u0636\u0649<\/b>) (Dari Alphabet for \u0642\u0627\u0636\u0649<\/b> <\/b>\u0642 \u0627 \u0636 \u0649<\/b>) the nikah ceremony and keeps the record of the marriage contract. However any trust worthy practicing Muslim can conduct the nikah ceremony, as Islam does not advocate priesthood. The documents of marriage contract\/certificate are filed with the mosque (masjid) and local government for record.<\/p>\n
After the sermon all members praise each other and elaborate feast, music, and dancing follow.<\/p>\n
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