the talk about anything thread

[ringbearer1]

this is the thread where u talk about anything at all:grin:
u could talk bout lord of the rings or any thing else lol roflmao
so who is gonna start off this talk about anything thread???pfbbt :read: :nono:
first person 2 visit must start a subject!!!

[Miruvor]

Oh boy, I can start? In that case, I've been curious about something lately, based on what the marriages in the ROTK could possibly be like. I am so brainwashed as to the style and culture of Christian marriages, that I wonder what they might be like in other cultures and religions, and what some of the most far fetched kinds of marriages might be like (like broom jumping, for instance). And on top of that, are they always ritualistic? Are they always legal contracts? Are they always religious or spiritual? What was a wedding like in Siberia in 1925. Was there a time when just mutual pairing up was not looked down upon (Other than in the 60's and 70's)? What parts of the world recognise 'common law' marriage? Why did Islam put a maximum number of wives at 4, yet Sultan's had 100's of wives? (I think Sultan's were Muslim).

Since many of you are from all around the world, maybe you can mention some unique things that you know about weddings in your culture, or part of the world.

[Catz]

ummm jumping the broom isnt far fetched.......in fact its a recognised form of marriage dating back many centuries in the european countries.......marriage cermonies often involve the couple passing thru or over an obstacle..........the symbolism being that they have passed to another plane of existance together.
no form of marriage in the western world is legal wothout signing the register of Births Deaths and Marriages, but there are other countries, where that just isnt possible
ancient Celtic customs, at least in some tribes (you must remember, that there was no such thing as a celtic people, only scattered tribes called the celts by others) allowed for marriage contracts to be for a year or for good..........the year contracts allowd that if the relationship didnt work out, they could return to the same place after the year and a day, and be released from the marriage
just about all marriage customs are about fertility in one way or another.....bread, wine.........eggs even the insistance on virginity has to do with ensuring that the bride is young and fertile.
some cultures practised Droit de signeuer (cant spell french LOL) which is allowing an older, higher status man to deflower virgins before their marriage....it was common in Europe in the middle ages. the root(sorry ;) ) feeling there seemed to be that virgins were considered great repositories of power "in potentia" what with her fertility still untapped and so on........and that a first sexual experience was dangerous as it would attract all kinds of bad spirits and demons......so the powerful Lord of the Monor took on the duty, with the understanding that any child would be raised with help from the Lord........lol then again maybe it was just a form of ownership..........in any case, i would imagine that many a farmer had a much easier life due to that custom......the gifts of the local Lord tiding the family thru what could be very hard times for those on the land
in some african cultures, a woman whose husband isnt up to scratch , may without censure, find another man, married or not, and form a liason.........this is strictly contolled by custom however
many cultures allowed for mutual pairing up, but that was usually for those who had not yet beome married, and was a way to celebrate fertility festivals, and allow the young people to pick among themselves.......but almost all cultures have a marriage, or a form thereof.......and it was expected that the youngsters would eventually marry.......this makes biological sense......it means that theoretically, we know the genetic background of the children.........that theoretically the father will stay around long enough to help the mother to raise the offspring, and that the pressure of the whole society is brought to bear on the couple to ensure that this happens
:catz:

[Miruvor]

Great overview, Catz. You must have studied Anthropology. I guess I could have studied it myself instead of asking, but, oh well. Thanks so much.

[Mocha]

Well I'm a Muslim and I'd be glad to answer you're question dear Miruvor...
Muslims are entitled to marry 4 wives none more so that the man can spend his money equally on his wives and so that he'd be fair towards them and so on and so forth...
And as far as your Sultan question, well yes Sultans were/are Muslims and the reason they marry more than the number that Islam talked about is because they are so persuaded in Life and their wealth that they think that they can take care of their wives if they were more than 4 and that is only allowed in Islam if the person really can afford being married to such a large number of women.

Hope that answered your question about the Islamic Marriages :grin: :grin: :grin:

[Miruvor]

Thanks. What about the ceremony itself? What is it like?