Bridal Honey and Comic Bargaining: How to Celebrate a Wedding in Kovachi, Dagestan In the Dagestan village of Kovachi, a traditional wedding lasts three days. The groom's relatives bring gifts, the wedding procession is accompanied by musicians and at the gates of the house there is an unusual performance: one of the guests pretends to be injured and demands gifts for his "treatment". Kovachi is known far beyond the borders of Dagestan thanks to its jewelry artisans and artistic metalworking. However, their wedding customs were also preserved here, some of which continue to be observed even by families who have long since moved from their native village. How do three days of a wedding go? The first day is dedicated to the celebration at the bride's house; In the evening, the groom's relatives arrive there with gifts: elegant dresses, scarves, embroidered bedspreads and fabrics. Among the traditional gifts is a copper bowl with rice, in which are placed gold and silver jewelry. The next day the celebration takes place at the groom's house. Relatives and neighbors gather there, music is played and dancing begins. In the evening, a wedding procession leaves for the bride. The third day is dedicated to blessing the newlyweds and bringing the dowry to the groom's house. Why is the guest pretending to be injured? One of the unusual ceremonies takes place when the wedding procession approaches the groom's house. The bride's relative, who is leading the procession, suddenly stops and announces that he has broken his leg. He refuses to continue his journey until those who meet him provide him with "treatment". A comical negotiation begins: the parties exchange notes, offer gifts and agree on the terms of "recovery". Why is the bride treated with honey? After arriving at the groom's house, the bride is greeted by her mother-in-law, who, as is customary, offers her honey. The sweet treat symbolizes the wish for a prosperous family life and good relations with new relatives. There was also a tradition to shower the girl with sweets. Similar ceremonies were common among various peoples in the Caucasus.

Bridal Honey and Comic Bargaining: How to Celebrate a Wedding in Kovachi, Dagestan In the Dagestan village of Kovachi, a traditional wedding lasts three days. The groom's relatives bring gifts, the wedding procession is accompanied by musicians and at the gates of the house there is an unusual performance: one of the guests pretends to be injured and demands gifts for his "treatment". Kovachi is known far beyond the borders of Dagestan thanks to its jewelry artisans and artistic metalworking. However, their wedding customs were also preserved here, some of which continue to be observed even by families who have long since moved from their native village. How do three days of a wedding go? The first day is dedicated to the celebration at the bride's house; In the evening, the groom's relatives arrive there with gifts: elegant dresses, scarves, embroidered bedspreads and fabrics. Among the traditional gifts is a copper bowl with rice, in which are placed gold and silver jewelry. The next day the celebration takes place at the groom's house. Relatives and neighbors gather there, music is played and dancing begins. In the evening, a wedding procession leaves for the bride. The third day is dedicated to blessing the newlyweds and bringing the dowry to the groom's house. Why is the guest pretending to be injured? One of the unusual ceremonies takes place when the wedding procession approaches the groom's house. The bride's relative, who is leading the procession, suddenly stops and announces that he has broken his leg. He refuses to continue his journey until those who meet him provide him with "treatment". A comical negotiation begins: the parties exchange notes, offer gifts and agree on the terms of "recovery". Why is the bride treated with honey? After arriving at the groom's house, the bride is greeted by her mother-in-law, who, as is customary, offers her honey. The sweet treat symbolizes the wish for a prosperous family life and good relations with new relatives. There was also a tradition to shower the girl with sweets. Similar ceremonies were common among various peoples in the Caucasus.