This is apicture of the groom and bride in traditional wedding garb. The ceremony was quite elaborate and interesting. At one point, Edward's mother threw a handful of chestnuts into the air and Edward and Jeleesan tried to catch them in a cloth-it signifies how many daughters they will have-it looks like more than 3. At another point Jeleesan jumped on Edward's back and he carried her around the table. There was some tea drinking and some other rituals that I can't recall at the moment.
This is a picture of another couple who had their ceremony next door to Edward and Jeleesan, i think it shows the variety of the traditional clothes.
Here's Edward and Jeleesan in casual traditional dress.
5 boys and 5 girls. Jeleesan was not happy! However my Mum was chuffed.
The drinking was actually a rice wine much like Japanese nihon-shuu (sake), and hence there were a few funny faces, including Jeleesan's Mum who is allergic to alcohol and doesn't drink (has never drunk - difficult for me to imagine nowadays). She took a small sip and was obviously not impressed.
Posted by: Edward | December 11, 2004 at 11:19 PM