Weddings
and funerals are two events that are universally shared by almost every culture
on earth. Our newest exhibit ‘Til Death Do Us Part presents the
various wedding and funeral traditions that are practiced in Chemung
County. Join us for the exhibit’s
official opening this Saturday, November 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00pm.
‘Til Death Do Us Part on display at CCHS through May 2014 |
It
is surprising how many similarities there are among various wedding and funeral
traditions. Maybe it should not be all
that surprising. When you get right down
to it, humans are more alike than they are different. Food is something that everyone has in
common. Hindu brides and grooms share
sweets with each other as part of their wedding, as do Muslims. Jewish and Christian couples often share the
first bites of cake at their wedding receptions. When a loved one dies, it is traditional for
mourners to bring food to the home of the deceased’s family. Muslims offer help, condolences and food for
three days while Jews provide a week’s worth of meals to the grieving family
because they are forbidden to cook for seven days.
Myra
and Jerry Stemerman sharing cake at their wedding in 1959 |
The
number seven appears again and again among the traditions. From the seven days of Jewish mourning and
the seven verses of prayer at a Muslim funeral to the seven steps and vows at a
Hindu wedding and the seven blessings at a Jewish wedding, the number holds
shared cultural significance.
Bride
and groom taking the seven steps together at a Hindu wedding, 2010 |
In
both the Hindu and the Jewish traditions, a bride and groom stand under a canopy
during the wedding ceremony. There is
often an exchange of tokens between the bride and the groom. A Hindu groom gives his bride a necklace of
black beads. The tradition of wedding
rings began with Christians and Jews but has also been adopted by modern brides
and grooms of other religious backgrounds.
In nearly every tradition the couple signs a marriage contract before
witnesses. For Muslims the nikah is simply a legal document but the
Jewish ketuba and the Quaker wedding
certificate are often highly decorated and are put on display in the couple’s
home.
Ketuba of Joseph and Mindy Gaieski, 2004 |
And
finally, among nearly all groups regardless of cultural background or religious
belief, the overbearing mother-in-law is a shared cliché. Come see these similarities and more in
person at the exhibit opening this Saturday!