Kashmiri Weddings

I went for a bicycle ride one day, and when I returned, I passed along the small side street many villagers all dressed up in their finest. They were happy and laughing and everyone I passed invited me to join them. There was a wedding in Wayil. I was hot and sweaty from my ride, and certainly not dressed to go to a wedding, but my young friend Diya (in the coral top with black hair) was so persuasive, that I asked Sami if it was OK. He said I should just go and see the wedding tents. So I went with Diya, and then the wedding party invited me to stay for the meal. How could I refuse??









I had heard so much about Kashmiri weddings, and the famous wazwan feast, that it was a good opportunity for me to experience it. The wazwan meal of many courses is nearly entirely meat, but there was one dish with cheese, so this is what I would eat. First we sat in groups of 4 in the huge wedding tent. Men and women each had their own tents. Then we were presented with a silver urn and washbasin so we could wash our hands just before the meal.






















Then a huge plate of rice was placed in the centre of each group of 4 peopls. I got my own small plate of rice, being the only vegetarian there. With the only cheese dish on the menu. And then the meat started coming - dish after dish. There was far too much for any one person to eat, so plastic bags were also handed out so guests could take home the extras. Nothing is wasted.












Just when I thought the meal was finished, around they would come again with some new special meat dish to ladle out onto the rice, and the rice was replenished frequently as well.

















The meal lasted well over an hour, and it was a source of amusement for everyone to have this foreign lady join them, and eat with her hand, just like they do.


















The final dish was this huge meatball, several inches in diameter. They call this the "full stop", which is another name for the period at the end of a sentence. How appropriate.















Then, after washing our hands again, we had a packet of mixed herbs and mint candies to freshen our breath. Very nice.














Before leaving, I met with the groom and gave a wedding gift, and was also introduced to the bride, who was in a separate room, in all her glory.































After returning to Sami's family home, one last photo of me and the kids.