In an effort to feel the fullness of life, a person creates a family. Family person – happy person. The beginning of this is a wedding or, as they say Moldova, nunta, so those getting married try to make this day a real holiday.
According to tradition in Moldova, first the groom, together with an older relative, comes to the bride’s parents’ house to ask for her hand in marriage and, with their consent, an engagement is scheduled. At the engagement party, in the presence of close relatives, they agree on the specifics of the wedding. Choice is a must nanashey – godparents of the future family.
As a rule, this is a respected married couple who are older than their newlyweds, but younger than their parents. Throughout their lives, they will be mentors and good advisors to the young family, helping in solving many problems.
The same, becoming for our finami, are obliged to read and listen to their opinions.
Weddings are now played in restaurants and wedding halls. But traditionally the Moldovan wedding took place in the parents' house.
In the morning Casa Mare, the beautifully cleaned main room of the house, the friends dress the bride and sing her farewell songs to her youth.
By lunchtime the groom comes with besties (friends) and if he is from another village, he will have to overcome obstacles. The local guys are hosting Woolpya, which means fox. They block the road with chains, demanding ransom in the form of wine and money.
The ransom ritual awaits them in a humorous manner at the bride’s house, this time with friends who, instead of a friend, can take out an old woman in disguise. Not only invitees, but also all village residents come to watch this spectacle.
When the bargaining is over, the bride comes out to the groom in a white dress with a veil on her head, they receive a blessing from their parents and go to the registry office, legalize their relationship, and then to church, seal their union.
Modern wedding celebrations in Moldova are characterized by relative freedom in observing rituals, but there are those that are invariably observed by the majority.
The main feature of the – holiday table is crowded a variety of delicious dishes, symbolizing the rich life of a young family.
Fun music that ignites national dances – jock, choir, diaper, cheese, chulyandra – are a bright component of Moldovan weddings.
All guests are required to wait for the important wedding ceremony – Masa mare (main table), during which the bride and groom walk around all the tables.
The parents pour each guest a glass of homemade wine, thank him for his honor, and they, in turn, congratulating the young people, publicly announce the gift. As a rule, this is a sum of money, and ours, setting an example for everyone, give the most significant one.
The rite of initiation of the bride into a married woman has also survived to this day. In the center of the hall, a groom with a young wife in his arms is sitting on a chair with a pillow. Nanashka removes the bride's wreath with a veil and ties her handkerchief and apron. Women give utensils needed on the farm, and they put money for turning away the scarf. After which the sweet table begins, the wedding cake or loaf is cut, which is distributed to each guest without fail and the wedding can last until the morning.
