Indians Wedding Traditions in Israel
TRENDING | It may seem strange to see in the holy land, but Israel's growing Indian population is bringing with it colourful traditional Indian wedding customs. Our Shelby Weiner has the story.
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00:03WEINER: This might look like a scene
00:04out of a Bollywood movie, but it's taking
00:06place in Israel's southern Negev desert
00:09at a traditional Henna ceremony.
00:11The word 'Mehndi' in Hindi and Arabic
00:14comes from Sanskrit. Manika is the
00:17ancient name referring to the Henna
00:19plant and the artful designs made
00:21by its dye.
00:23The ceremony takes place before a
00:24wedding and represents the love and
00:27affection between the couple and their
00:29families.
00:31ALIZA: An Indian Henna is very
00:32colourful and began many years ago.
00:35It's a tradition of the family letting
00:36go of the bride. In the past, the bride
00:38and groom had separate ceremonies.
00:40Today, it's more modern and the couple
00:43does it together.
00:45The ritual comes from Hinduism. But
00:47Indian Jews adopted the custom while
00:49assimilating with local traditions. The
00:52rich and colourful practice is now making
00:55its way to the holy land, with the
00:57immigration of Jewish Indian families.
01:00Because it's a new practice in Israel,
01:02special companies help bring the vibrant
01:04tradition to life.
01:07ALIZA: I'm a producer of Henna
01:09procession, mostly Indian Hennas.
01:11I design costumes and sets, everything
01:13you need for an Indian Henna, including
01:15Henna tattoos and dancers.
01:19WEINER: The event has many
01:20details, each representing an auspicious
01:23future matrimony. The bride is carried on
01:25a cushion chair called a 'Doli'.
01:28She is followed by a unique umbrella.
01:31This tradition represents personal style.
01:33It's decorated to show a new beginning
01:35for the bride and groom. Family is an
01:38important part of the event. Only blood
01:42relatives and close friends attend
01:43the intimate affair.
01:46ALIZA: The Henna itself is an event
01:48that gathers both families. The wedding
01:50is big and everybody attends. But only
01:52the closest relatives are invited to
01:54the Henna. And no one in the close
01:56family would miss it.
01:58WEINER: Once the ancient traditions
01:59are complete, the Henna becomes like
02:01any modern day party. Both families
02:04dance and celebrate as they get ready
02:06for the big day.