Washington DC Turkish Folk Dance Troupe

Turkish Weddings are the most conspicuous occasions in village life, and almost the only opportunity for organised merry-making.  In the villages, the wedding ceremonies continue for two days. There are two separate wedding ceremonies, one in the home of the bride's family and one in the home of the groom's family. The ceremonies start Friday evening and finish Sunday noon when the groom's relatives take the bride from the home of the bride's family and bring her to the groom's home. 

Caydacira is a dance than originates from Anatolia.  Both men and women can perform this dance. The dance depicts the story of a bride that is being taken from her parents’ home to her new husband’s home. On the way, the bride is lost, and as night falls, the wedding party searches for the bride by candlelight. The bride is found, and the party continues onto the wedding. Next is the Kina Gecesi (Henna Night), which is a one-act play, which depicts the traditional evening during wedding festivities.   The women from both the bride and groom's families get together at the bride's house and play music, sing, dance, and look at the bride's trousseaux.  Then, towards the end of the party the women tie henna to their palms.  While the bride is sitting and watching the  preparation of the henna, her friends stand around her and sing separation songs because it's the last night in her parents' house.  Again, it is traditional for the bride to cry during the ceremony and  the bride's friends accompany her in crying.   At the same time, the men will perform a Sakal Tiras (Groom's Shave), where the groom is taken to a barber to get a clean shave before his wedding, and the men entertain themselves through dance and horseplay. Finally, the troupe will end with the performance of the Dugun (Wedding Ceremony).  The father will tie a red ribbon around the bride's waist three times reciting verses from the Kuran. The ribbon is a symbol of her purity.  Then, we will see as the bride and groom are presented to each other. The groom will present a gift to the bride and the families will continue on with the wedding festivities.