| This is the biggie – the Super Bowl of rituals. New couples ensure new generations. So, make way for the big guns. These events matter. Expectations are high. The community wants to see evidence of maturity, love and commitment to each other – and to their faith. Even the engagement process is highly ritualized, demanding evidence of readiness and worthiness. For men, this might involve showing income stability and for women, perhaps, devotion and fertility? These make sense when we remember that the future of a faith depends on successful marriages.Weddings are huge community events – like holidays in the midst of a more routine calendar of religious holidays. People plan for months, buy expensive gifts, wear their very best clothes – and they dance. Everyone feels the warmth and glow during the ceremony. Little boys and girls want to be brides and grooms someday. Best wishes abound. |
