Decorating the Nubian Bride
history
The artistic ability of the Egyptian artisans and jewelers has been demonstrated since ancient times, but from the outside, the symbolism and customs that surrounds these items can be difficult to ascertain. From burial items to fertility amulets, the tradition and culture that is represented often transcends generations with little to no deviation in meaning or design.
Jewelry
A Nubian woman normally bears a loads of jewelry, all over her body. Around the neck, she carries two lines of necklaces, topped by two lines of jewelry, bearing the Divine Name of Allah. On the forehead, there is a piece of jewelry showing a Quranic verse, with a large pair of earrings dangling from the top part of both ears, a second pair from the lower part and a third in between. The ankle is adorned with a silver anklet and her fingers with silver rings. A Nubian woman adorns herself also with tattoos, normally shaped like a mole on the cheek, a crescent on the forehead or a line drawn from the lip down to the chin or by coloring the nether lip.
The bunduki jakid-necklace typically consists of six plain, flat, round gold discs surrounding a central medallion pendant that represents the sun god.
A full beiah collar typically consists of six pear-shaped, gold drop pendants, embossed with star and crescent shapes, surrounding a medallion pendant called a masha-Allah.
Henna Designs
Henna tattoos have been a part of wedding traditions for more than 5000 years already and are still a much-desired part of a bride’s celebration. As part of the ceremony, the bride is entertained by females of her new family who tell her stories and the secrets to a strong and happy marriage. These tattoos are thought to bring joy and luck to the union. The darker the stain the deeper the love.
Gasset el-rahman
A gasset el-rahman is a triangular head ornament hanging from a small rectangular piece that supports it. In ancient Egypt, a lotus flower was worn the same way, and in Nubian art, it can symbolize either success or land and water, depending on which side the apex is facing.
Bride wears a gasset el-rahman head ornament and a beiah collar.
Bibliography
- "A Look Into The World Of Henna Wedding Traditions". 2021. BLOVED Blog. https://blovedblog.com/weddings/a-look-into-the-world-of-henna-wedding-traditions/.
- Jennings, Anne M. 1988. “Women’s Gold Jewelry in Egyptian Nubia” African Arts, Volume 22, No. 1. UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center, 1988, pp. 68–100
- Gennep, Arnold van. 1960, The Rights of Passage, Chapter 1. London: Routledge Library Editions
- "Old Nubian Traditions". 2021. Shazlyasmail.Tripod.Com. https://shazlyasmail.tripod.com/interest.htm.
