Love and Light: Marriage Rites
The world is dark and dreary enough. Tonight, let us be happy.Marriage in Araea are times of joy and community. It is celebrated with abandon, with song, dance, and light. The celebrants paint themselves with elaborate patterns, light candles, and sing... And no one ever wants to miss out on the Shroom Shower.
The Rites of Marriage
Arranged Marriage Not all marriages are for love. Many are just as much as joining families, tribes, or businesses together as about the couple. The practice is viewed with suspicion by most; after all, how can you trust one who'd sacrifice love for fortune or power?
The Day of Joy
The Shaavat is more than decorative, always including small well-wishes, blessings, or symbols of power and good luck.
No marriage is complete without the Chnagahn, a boiling stew with raw ingredients served to be dipped and cooked, any remaining liquid drunk as soup. Should any remain, it is traditionally given to the married couple to fill their larder. Chnagahn made for marriages is usually served in cauldrons, and is another aspect sometimes sponsored by wealthy patrons. As a means of showing their wealth and earning goodwill, nothing bests a good Chnagahn.
The Shaavat
Shavaat are intricate, spiraling patterns painted onto the bodies of celebrants, made with a dye of mashed mushroom pulp. As with all aspects of the marriage celebration, it is not done in solitude but applied by one's friends and family. Exactly how elaborate they are is a personal preference, though everyone likes to show off at their marriage. Shavaats can become extensive and reach across the arms, face, and even chest. It is considered poor form to sport a Shaavat more elaborate than the couple being married, so participants and guests tend to stay with something simple but visible.Clothes and Jewelry
Due to the Shaavat, the clothing used during the marriage ceremony tends to be open and often sleeveless to better show off the painted Shaavat, with some even choosing to go bare-chested. Jewelry and other accessories are common ways of dressing up, with bracelets being particularly common and widespread. Many families only have such luxuries to wear for marriage ceremonies.Music is an integral part of the celebration. It signals the beginning and end of each part of the ceremony. When sung, it is done in a chorus by all while the instrumental music tends to be lead by a skilled musician and then complemented by the probably drunk amateurs attending the marriage.
Polygamy
It is uncommon but not unheard of for a marriage to consist of multiple partners. Such celebrations are no different other than that they tend to be much larger. The largest such union ever recorded was of a team of Kaia, four men strong, who united in a legendary marriage feast. While unusual, polygamy like that is not viewed unfavorably - if anything, it can spark jealousy. Most feel lucky enough should they find love once, let alone repeat the good fortune.If those who marry or their friends happen to be Saen-Kaw athletes, the performance of a special wedding Saen-Khru is another favorite way to celebrate the marriage. Read about Saen-Kaw
Aww man! That is cute! I like you unique view on polygamy! One question: Would such a music be played in the underground or is it just a fitting mood, with sounds unable to be produced in your world?
^-^ Thank you! The music is meant as an example of potential wedding/party music. String instruments, I think, will still be around. I had that running on a loop while writing the article! I might update it if I found something more fitting, like the Ta'i for the Saen-Kaw article :) Thanks again! :D
Creator of Araea, Megacorpolis, and many others.