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Gaye Halud (literally, turmeric-smeared body) an important
part of the marriage rituals in Bangladesh, is a beautifying and blessing
ceremony that has been observed since ancient times. Newlyweds are believed
to be vulnerable to misfortune and the evil eye. Hence, various types
of rituals, including the gaye halud ceremony, are observed in order to
give protection to the bride and bridegroom. In Hindu society this ceremony
is known as gatra haridra or adhivas and dates back to Vedic
times. Muslims refer to it as gaye halud, haldi kota,
tilwayi, kud deoya, etc. Though Muslims from Persia, Arabia,
Turkestan brought with them their own marriage rituals, they adapted many
local customs and rituals including gaye halud.
Smearing the bodies of the bride and the bridegroom with
turmeric and other cleansing or sweet smelling ingredients three, five
or seven days before the marriage ceremony is the main ritual of gaye
halud.
Turmeric is considered antiseptic and purifying. It is also
a cosmetic, lending a golden glow to the dark Bengali skin. It
is also traditionally believed to provide protection against evil
spirits. Besides turmeric paste, some other ingredients are also
used in this ceremony: paddy, durva (a kind of grass),
sesame, barley-corn, mustard seed, dried ginger, sandalwood, vermilion,
henna, various kinds of seeds, sweets, fish and a lamp with five
wicks etc. It is believed that these will bring good fortune and
fertility.
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Gaye Halud |
The gaye halud ceremony is observed separately in the
houses of the bride and the bridegroom. The ceremonial ingredients are
sent from one house to the other in a grand manner. Decorated stages are
made for seating the bride and bridegroom. All the ingredients are put
on colourfully decorated bamboo trays for performing the ceremonial rites.
The mother, grandmother and other elderly relatives apply a dab of turmeric
on the bride/ bridegroom and offer sweets. Younger relatives and friends
then take turns to apply turmeric. Guests are entertained with special
food and sweets, including various types of pithas (rice cakes).
Music plays an important part on this occasion, with women and girls singing
songs, commonly known as meyeli
git, often composed especially for this ceremony. The traditional
songs reflect the significance of marriage rituals and the picture of
a happy family. The songs which are made up for the occasion make fun
of the members of the other party. Thus the groom's side will make fun
of the members of the bride's family and vice versa. After the ceremony
is over, the bride traditionally continues to be rubbed with turmeric
paste until the day of the wedding, when she takes a ritual bath.
In the recent past, relatives and friends, wearing old
clothes, would smear each other with turmeric paste in fun as well as
splash colour on each other. However, the ceremony at present has become
an occasion for dressing up, and the meyeli git, in cities, has been displaced
by modern film songs and band shows. [Shahida Akhter] |
