CAMBODIAN WEDDING

CONDUCT OF A KHMER WEDDING CEREMONY

The marriage, with well-defined stages and rites, previously took place over several days, from three days to a whole week. It was during the 16th century that King Preah Chey Chesda Thebdey established its unfolding which continues to this day.
Modernity - in Phnom Penh, wedding parties now often take place in restaurants or in complexes reserved for this purpose - and the financial constraints linked to the organization of such a long ceremony finally led Cambodians to reduce the festivities to a duration of about a day and a half, considered more reasonable.

Traditionally, the organization of the party generally fails the family of the bride, who received at the time of the marriage proposal by the suitor and his family a dowry of up to several thousand dollars, and which will be used to cover a party. the cost of the ceremony.

Among the costs will be the rental of the outfits that will be worn by the bride and groom and their groomsmen and bridesmaids --neak komdor, who will change them at least five times, depending on the time of day and the course of the wedding rites, remuneration for all musicians, donations for the Achar, lay master of ceremonies and bonzes, as well as the preparation of meals, the rental of tables and tents.

PITHI SOUT MY

On the first day, at the end of the afternoon, the ceremony begins with the presence of monks, whose coming in an even number, is a sign of good omen, symbol of unity for the bride and groom. They come to recite Sutra in the presence of family and close friends, announcing by their song to the souls of the ancestors of both families the celebration of the union which will mark the arrival of a new member in the families.

This first day ends with a dinner shared with the family.

PITHI HAE CHOMNUON

The groom, his family and the guests form a procession to the bride's house

The next day, early in the morning, a procession of the guests leaves the groom's house, It is the groom, his groomsmen and his family who come to the bride's house with their arms laden with gifts, brought on trays. Once arrived, the procession deposits the food and the families are introduced, following traditional rites originating from various legends, such as the exchange of fruits and flowers Sla (betel).

One such story, Som Sla Kanseng, reports that two peasant buffalo herders wishing to seal their friendship, decide to marry their children in order to become parents. As a mark of respect for this promise of mutual commitment, the two peasants exchange a krama scarf filled with betel nuts, a gesture that is still performed during the presentation of gifts and the presentation of families at the end. of the procession.

Another legend tells us that four young friends, each endowed with particular abilities, one possessing the gifts of clairvoyance, the other of magic, the other two being respectively an exceptional shooter and swimmer. After finishing their studies and on the way back home, the young man who can read the future announces to his friends that their return home will put on their way a young woman who will become the wife of one of the them. Shortly after, they see a young woman who was swimming suddenly attacked by a large bird. Doing neither one nor two the shooter descends the bird while the swimmer throws himself into the water and brings the inert body of the young woman back to the bank. The last one uses his magical powers to bring the young woman back to life. The four young men who fell in love with their young protégé, decide to appeal to Buddha to decide between them. This one decides it is the first to have touched her, the boy with the great qualities of swimmer who will be able to marry her. The seer, the magician and the shooter are transformed and become the mother, father and brother of the young woman.

It is according to this legend that at the wedding, three flowers –Pka Sla- are also given to the father, the mother and the brothers and sisters of the bride to show their gratitude.

In recent years, following Western tradition, some newlyweds wishing to follow a certain fashion or to appear in a more modern light, have chosen to proceed with an exchange of alliance. It is after Pithi Hae Chomnuon that this exchange takes place.

The bride and groom and their suite will get changed while the guests are offered breakfast.