Something old, Something new

What is the meaning of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"?

This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme ("Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"), and the four objects that the bride adds to her wedding outfit or carries with her on the big day are just good luck charms. Don't stress too much about them -- they are the little tokens of love your mother, sister, other relatives, and attendants will give you at the eleventh hour (although you can give them to yourself, too). Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains largely a British custom.

What is a wedding without TASSA!?

Tassa drumming is an art form, which is indigenous to this country tradition, showing the rhythms as it was in the beginning. Like so many of the other genres of music, tassa has evolved through the years. Drummers have experimented with several modern rhythms and are now able to bring change to the stage, while it is good to entertain in the chutney, soca and calypso rhythms.

THE DRAGON BOYS TASSA BAND.

This is the most electrifying and energetic Tassa Band ever! I have been to a few weddings where they "performed" and trust me when I say... They will keep your guests entertained! They literally put on a show for the crowd by calling each other on their cell phones while playing with one hand and even playing on each other's drums.. besides being one of the top tassa bands in Trindad with all of their talent, the sound that they produce is what some people refer to as "hot tassa".. it makes you want to get up and dance to that rhythm!

Eating from a leaf at a reception!?

Anybody remember this?

Soharee is a bhojpuri word that means ‘food for the gods

Of course, while it is referred to as sohari in Trinidad, it carries a range of different names in other parts of its range including cachibou, pampano, prayer plant and Cuban/ Havana cigar. 

A dying practice... Usually found at Hindu wedding receptions held at home... You take a leaf and find a seat by the eating table where guys from the village would be passing around with bowls of food.... asking "uncle/tants, wah yuh want dey again?" pumpkin, channa and aloo, roti, mother-n-law (pepper), sweet rice, bhagi, rice, kharhee and mango.

Originally the word soharee was associated with a special kind of roti served to Brahmins at religious functions. The small rotis were basted in ghee and served on the large leaves found in Trinidad. Soon the leaves adopted the name of the rotis themselves. These days, the word soharee is most commonly associated with the large leaves used as plates at religious functions. Indian food needs space because of the variety of dishes served.

There is a classic Trinidadian joke about an Englishman who attended a traditional East Indian wedding ---- > When asked how he enjoyed the meal, he said that the curry was delicious but that the lettuce was rather hard.

Significance of Mehndi

Among the many traditions that are infused into Indian weddings, one of the most prominent is the mehndi ceremony. This is the day when mehndi is applied on the hands and feet of the bride and even the groom. While the bride has a very elaborate pattern done on her hands and feet, the groom usually has just a token design. Mehndi is a very important part of both Hindu and Muslim weddings in India. 

Beliefs associated with Mehndi

It is a common belief that the darker the color the mehndi leaves on the hands on a bride, the more will she be loved by her husband and mother-in-law. However, the significance of applying mehndi during weddings is not restricted just to sentiments and beliefs. Although these beliefs make the application of mehndi a much anticipated and charming tradition, the actual reason is of much deeper significance, which is sometimes forgotten in the present day.

Core Significance

Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body. Also, being a highly antiseptic agent, mehndi can protect the couple from viral diseases. Such diseases are totally undesirable just before the wedding and this medicinal herb can lend a strong shield. Any small cuts, burns or scratches that the couple might sustain during the course of so many rituals and customs can be healed easily with the application of mehndi. It improves blood circulation in the body and enhances general health. The initial practice of applying mehndi in ancient times began in order to protect the couple and keep them healthy.

Mehndi that is applied during Indian weddings is not just a plain paste of mehndi powder and water. Eucalyptus oil, a bit of clove oil and a few drops of lemon are added. These oils not only help in darkening the color of mehndi on the body, but also enhance the benefits of mehndi and make the paste highly medicinal. The best part is that the smell, the beautiful rich color and the health benefits that mehndi lends act as a powerful aphrodisiac. Also, since the color and smell remain for days, it boosts the romance in the initial days of wedding.