February 10, 2001 — Mudeif Productions

Weddings are a big deal in Zababdeh, and are attended by just about everyone, no matter which denomination people belong to. The priests all came, too, including one of the bride's cousins from Beit Jala.

Following Mass, we headed back to the school hall for - yep, you got it - music and dancing! One of the groom's sisters is a singer living in LA, and was unable to get back for the wedding, so the DJ's set-list included some of her music. Food was the order of the day, too, and (quite to our surprise) a chair dance - something we had only known previously from Jewish weddings. As guests leave the party, they "mabrouk" (say congratulations to) the bride and groom, and usually slip a monetary gift into their hands. This tradition, in some ways like dollar dances we have seen elsewhere, helps the families pay for the enormous expence of feeding and entertaining their communities. In a way, it turns the village into a moveable party, from one wedding to the next, with each family taking their turns at hosting.