When it comes to Assamese wedding ceremony, it is referred as “Biya” in their native language. The marriage takes place between two people from the same community.Looking at the rituals and other cultures, the Assamese Weddings are usually simple, subtle and elegant affairs.The whole ceremonies span about the duration of 2-3 days. One of the unique and indispensable features of the wedding celebration is the traditional “Biya naam” or “Biya geet” songs that the women sing during most pre and post-wedding rituals.
Hence to make you aware about the wedding rituals of Assamese wedding. Here, are some of the amazing wedding rituals of an Assamese wedding which will encourage you to attend the one right now.
Significant Wedding Day Rituals
Nuoni-Nuoni is the significant ceremonial bath of the bride and groom at their respective homes on the wedding day. They sit on a special seat created with 4 young banana plants. A paste of oil, curd, urad lentils and turmeric is applied on the head of the would-be-couple and then sacred water is poured on their heads.
Daiyon Diya
Another ritual is Daiyon diya, which is very unique and beautiful ritual and is performed in the early hours of the wedding day. According to this ritual, groom’s side sends the curd for the bride. Bride eats half of it and sends the remaining for the groom to eat as a symbolism of good luck. This meal is the last meal for both of them as singles.
Bride’s reception
Bride’s reception takes place before the wedding ceremony. She dresses up and is seated on a decorated bell metal plate with saunf in her hands to greet the guests. When the groom is supposed to enter the wedding venue, she is taken inside where she changes her clothes and wears her wedding outfit.
Groom’s procession
This is a very fun-filled ceremony, which is performed at the groom’s place. When he is ready to leave for the wedding, his mother tries to stop him using a cloth. He has to peep through between the door and the cloth thrice after which he
is allowed to leave. Then he takes blessings of his mother for the upcoming life, who will not be participating in further wedding rituals, and then leave for the wedding along with his friends, family, and relatives.
Dora aaha
This ceremony represents the arrival of Baarat where the groom is showered with rice grains. There is a sweet competition between the bride and groom’s side. This is the moment when groom’s best man tries to guard him using an umbrella when the bride’s relatives throw rice on him. The groom is then welcomed by the mother of the bride by giving him kisses on the cheeks.
Bhori Dhuwa
To give respect to the brother-in-law, the younger sister of the bride washes the feet of the groom. While bride’s mother welcomes him with a traditional aarti thali. He then has to pay a hefty amount to her in return so that she can allow him to go to the wedding alter. The brother of the bride lifts the groom and take him to the wedding hall.
Biya or wedding
The bride makes a grand entry on the shoulders of her maternal uncle or brothers. Here, the wedding ceremony takes place in front of the sacred fire after exchanging the garlands. After that, the parents of the bride performs the kanyadaan with numb eyes. The brother places an offering of puffed rice on the bride’s hands. Then the rice is then sacrificed into the holy Agni kund. This giving of rice is performed thrice. While performing this ceremony, all the relatives and friends gathered around the mandap and sing the jura naam. When the ceremony takes place, all the friends and family members sing the Juran naam when gathered near the mandap. Women intermittently blow the conch shells and urulis.Afterward, priest ties the end of the bride’s Chador and the groom’s Cheleng and get ready for next ritual .i.e. Saptapadi
Saptapadi
The bride and groom are then asked to go around the holy fire seven times while they chant the sacred wedding vows. Following this, the bride steps on seven betels leave with her right foot.
Aashirbaad
It is an important ritual in every state wedding and Assamese weddings are no exception. After the completion of all the significant wedding rituals, Friends and relatives then step forward to bless the newlywed couple to cherish a happy married life.