Jun
23
A Wedding in Isaan
June 23, 2007 |
At the house, it was people milling about everywhere. I managed to get into the house, and stuffed the money for the Sin Sot and my present for Nan, plus the rings into my pockets, and then I was led across the Soi to her uncles house. With me was some nieces, aunts and uncles.
They carried a pigs head with candles stuck in it’s mouth and various other 
objects. The music was blaring full tilt, and someone was holding an umbrella over my head. And then I did the short walk over to Nan’s house. While the ladies whooped to announce that the groom was 
coming.
Nan’s family came to the door. And to older ladies held a yellow scarf across the door. So I fished out an envelope with the gate fee for them and Wai’ed. They smiled and let me trough. And there was my bride waiting. She was radiant, a big smile that lit up the room!
We sat down next to each other, and I presented the Sin Sot. It was duly counted, examined and announced to everyone present via loud 
speaker. The elderly voiced their opinion, nodded their agreement that this was sufficient, and it was accepted.
Now Nan’s mom made a big show of trying to make off with the 
money. And general laughter followed as Nan’s brother chased her down, and returned with mother and Sin Sot.
We then took our places. It was Nan’s older brother who led proceedings. The Sin Sot and the gold for Nan was put in front of us. We wai’ed and then it was time for me to give her the gold. 
I fumbled a little bit with the bracelet, but the necklace was easier.
Since wedding rings really are not a Thai tradition, we did those now, along with our wows to each other. Nan was a big smile, 
and with the rings on our fingers, someone told us to kiss, so we did, to the amusement of everyone present.
Then the ceremony started in earnest. Lot’s of chanting, interrupted by us 
wai’ing and for close relatives to put string around our wrists. It seemed to last forever, and my legs where starting to go numb from kneeling. Someone put pillows on our 
laps to 
make it more comfortable to hold up our hands in a wai position.
After a while there was a short break, as the chanting was over. I managed to adjust my feet to a more comfortable position. At least blood was flowing back into them. Now a pair of scissors, the kind mother uses to count up her betel nuts was placed in my hands, along with a small metal container containing something I don’t 
know what is. And everyone present came to tie string around our wrists. They also dropped money gifts for us into a silver bowl placed in front of us.
It all took a while. But eventually it was all over. 
We were husband and wife!
We came outside and everyone there cheered. And someone plunked a beer into my hand. We went around and thanked everyone for coming, and 
Nan whispered to me that she wanted to shower. So we did that, and she was quite relieved to have the make-up cake washed off her face.
After the shower we staid and entertained the last guests until the last of them stumbled home, well satisfied with food and beer Chang.
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Comments
7 Comments so far
I wish you a happy life together!
Thank you for sharing this with us. I would like to second thaistories post.
Hey, thanks Dago and thaistory
Congratulations - I wish you all the best for the future
Wonderful pictures, sounds like it was a fantastic day and beautiful occaision - congratulations!
Thanks Nelly and Phil
And it was a fantastic day
Nice pictures, wish you both the best.
Dod your ceremony involve the foot washing before you entered the home?