Where Did It All Begin?

By: Vlady Peters
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:29
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There used to be a song which went something like this: “Anything Russia can do, US can do better, US can do anything better than Russia. No, it can’t! Yes, it can! No, it can’t! Yes, it can! No, it can’t! Yes, it can! Yes, it can! Yes, it can!”

For the past few years, something similar has been happening about the newest wedding tradition, Handfasting. It appeared amongst us all of a sudden. For a long time we didn’t know where it came from, and what to do with it. Little by little we’ve become creative about what to do with it, but as to where it comes from, that’s still being worked out.

Almost every continent, it seems, is claiming the origin of this ritual. In literature, we hear of it from Sir Walter Scott, in his novel “The Monastry”.

Most recently, I saw that apart from Africa, America, British Isles and Scandinavia, countries of East Europe are also claiming to have practiced this ritual in the past.

Handfasting, in East Europe, like others, started off as a visual engagement, a betrothal to show the world that in due course the couple would be wed.

The Hadfasting day started at the bride’s house where, after all the grooming was finished by the ladies, the groom and his merry men and their families would come to fetch the bride. Before leaving the house, the bride and groom were given their’ parents blessing, and in their turn thanked them for their lifetime care.

As they walked hand in hand to their wedding venue, if it so happened that one of the partner’s parent or parents were dead, they would make a detour to the cemetery where the parents were buried. Ever aware of the debt of gratitude they owed to their parents, the couple would invite them to join in spirit, if not in body, their forthcoming festivities.

Seeing the bridal party going past, neighbors would come outside and shower the happy couple with oats and hops and whatever else happened to be growing in the garden.

The Handfasting itself took place in some sort of a grove, since nature is at the center of this tradition. The ceremony was conducted not by any official but by people in some way responsible for bringing the two together. The material used for the tying of the hands was a white piece of cloth, possibly something belonging to the mother, like a shawl.

At the end of the ceremony, everyone present would be asked to come up, place their hands over the tied hands of the couple, and give a silent blessing for their future together. The last two to give their blessing were the two celebrants, who then untied the hands.

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorized to perform marriage in Australia. She also performs general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about Vlady, visit her at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com

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