What does it consist of?
Content
An Ossetian wedding dress consists of many details. The most significant of them:
- corset;
- decorative bib;
- shirt;
- caftan;
- metal belt;
- apron;
- sleeves;
- veil;
- cap.
The entire suit is made in a swing cut. The caftan is worn over the shirt and tightens the bride's figure. It is almost invisible from under the dress. The caftan fits tightly to the body and prevents the chest clasps from coming undone. They are considered more decorative rather than functional elements of the costume.
On top of the shirt under the caftan, the bride wears a corset. It is fastened with a cord or braid, on which numerous knots are tied. According to tradition, the corset must be untied without the use of sharp objects and the cord must not be broken.
The swing dress features hanging, flared, wide sleeves and a nipped waist. In some decorations, a narrow straight sleeve is allowed, which is noticeably slanted at the wrist. On a narrow sleeve it is necessary to put on wide sleeves from the very elbow.
The Ossetian bride wears a cap on her head, which is framed by a veil and decorated with gold and silver threads. There are many traditions associated with the headdress. It served to ransom the newlywed at the wedding, and if it fell into the wrong hands, it was believed that there would be trouble. The cap is made in the shape of a truncated cone and should be red.
The belt protects the bride from evil glances and the machinations of ill-wishers. It can be made of fabric or silver. The richer the belt, the more abundantly it is decorated with stones, the more prosperous the girl’s family and, therefore, the wealth will accompany the young people all their lives. The fabric belt is a masterpiece of embroidery and decoration, while the metal belt looks like the work of a jeweler.
Ossetian wedding
Ossetian weddings are always fun and noisy, with dancing, songs, jokes, abundant and tasty food, and a lot of drinking. But any wedding begins with matchmaking... If a young man is mentally and financially ready to start a family, and a girl knows how to cook and do good housework, then they are completely ready to get married. But in the first place, of course, love! Three matchmakers are sent to the bride's house, usually one of the groom's close relatives, the oldest respected neighbor and a good friend of the bride's family. The arrival of matchmakers is known in advance and they can come only with the permission of the bride. Matchmakers can already tell a lot about the bride's family, knowing how they were received. Usually the table is set with various traditional Ossetian dishes and drinks. The matchmakers sit down at the table, but do not immediately talk about the purpose of the visit; it is customary to announce this only during the second toast. The head of the family thanks the matchmakers, but will never immediately give an accurate answer, citing that it is necessary to consult with the family’s relatives and friends, and a lot depends on the opinion of the bride. The matchmakers and the bride's family discuss the date of the next visit, when they can hear the exact answer. If the girl's family refuses the marriage proposal, then this is considered a very great insult. The prenuptial agreement is usually negotiated in the bride's home, with a close relative of the groom's family leaving a deposit - a certain amount of money - to the bride's family when concluding the prenuptial agreement. The head of the family invites the groom's relatives to come to the table and discuss the matter and all its details. On the table, according to tradition, are three pies, the head and neck of a sacrificial bull. Three main toasts are pronounced in turn - to the Big God (Styr Khuytsau), to Saint Uastirdzhi, to the health of the young and the longevity of the two related surnames. They also raise toasts to the health of neighbors and all residents of the village and the happiness that will illuminate the whole of Ossetia. During the toast, everyone stands up, and the one who speaks is given an animal's humerus bone in his free hand. Next, they also pass on the ear of a bull, cut three times to the elder. To signify the consent of the marriage, the parties shake hands. A few weeks before the wedding, after the prenuptial agreement, the groom secretly pays a visit to the bride's home. He comes there with his friends, the bride also invites her friends. The groom brings sweets with him and treats the bride and her friends to “the sweet life.” The evening continues with a feast of varied and delicious treats. The young people also sing and dance. Be sure to ask the groom to dance and sing, to show his talents. They usually party until late on this day. But the groom should not stay with the bride overnight. All wedding matters are discussed in advance before the wedding. Best men are appointed, who are practically the organizers of the wedding. They must take care of who will go for the bride and how to receive the guests. Best men are usually appointed as two of the groom's best friends; after the wedding, they become brothers for the bride and relatives in the groom's family. The best man is the first person to see the bride after the wedding feast, he will go into her room and allow her to dress in her wedding dress. Three young neighbors usually help dress the bride. The neighbors of the village also help, they slaughter animals for the feast and monitor the cooking of meat, monitor and serve guests at the feast, manage and monitor all edibles during the wedding. If a neighbor’s loved one has recently died, then the groom’s family sends respected people to them to ask permission to conduct the wedding. This is how Ossetians show sincere respect and compassion. The wedding day is coming. In the morning, having refreshed themselves before the road and prayed to God, the grooms and one of the elders set off with the wedding cortege to pick up the bride. The cortege is greeted by relatives and guests of the bride's family. In the hands of the three elders are three pies, arrack, and beer. The elders say a prayer to God and wish prosperity and eternal love to the young. Then everyone goes to the house where they dance. The elders sit down at the table first. On the table there is always the neck and head of a sacred bull, three pies, and kebab made from the animal’s liver, lungs and heart. The hosts try to take care of the guests, pay them a lot of attention, offer food and drink if they see that the guests are being modest. The elders make toasts to love, to health, to kinship and to future sons who will glorify Ossetia. Next, the eldest is presented with a dish with three ribs and glasses of booze, which he passes on to the female guests who prepared the festive table and to the eldest woman in the house. Next, the neighbors, who have dressed the bride, conduct a ransom for the bride. The best man redeems the young man. Everything is accompanied by laughter and jokes. Well, the parties agreed on a ransom, and it was time to bring the bride. The bride appears accompanied by young people who sing a song. The elders raise their glasses and give parting wishes to the girl, and also say prayers to the saints and the patron saint of travelers. The bride is seated in the wedding cortege and sent on her way. But before the bride has yet to leave, young people and boys block the gates of the yard and do not let the cortege out without a ransom, which serves as three pies, chicken, arrack, money, and sweets. Well, the gates are open and the bride is leaving her home. There is a custom in Ossetia - on the way, wedding corteges stop at the holy grove of Khetag, where they pray to Saint Uastirdzhi and ask for the main thing. The wedding cortege arrives at the groom's courtyard with songs and dances. Everyone is having fun and thanking them for a successful journey. The elders greet the young woman and escort her into the house. But before this, a ritual is performed - a baby boy is given into the hands of the bride, with wishes that she have a son first. Next, the bride crosses the threshold of the house with her right foot and bows three times. At this time, the wisest and eldest woman says a prayer to the Patron of Men - Lagty Dzua and promises that she will take the bride under her protection. The dancing begins, after which the bride is led to remove her veil. The usually eloquent young man takes off the veil, he circles the bride’s head three times with a small flag sent from his parents’ house and pronounces the ritual words. Then he takes off the veil, and everyone admires the bride’s face. The flag is secured behind the stove, where it should be stored permanently. Also, along with the flag, a bowl of honey and ghee - mydy kus - is sent from the home, which the bride offers to all women at the wedding and to her mother-in-law, so that their relationship will also be sweet. After this ritual, the bride is again taken to the room where the dancing is held, where she usually stands in the farthest corner from the entrance to the room. Next to her are two young men who came from their father’s house to protect her. A young woman, Hanga Mad, who is previously appointed as the groom’s mother, also takes care of the bride; usually such a woman will be closest to the bride throughout her entire subsequent life. After the bride's veil is removed, she can be invited to dance by a young daredevil. The dance is usually short-lived; at the end of the dance, the guy wishes happiness to the bride and her groom and presents a glass, in which he places a banknote as a sign of gratitude. Soon the bride is taken back to her home. The groom and groomsmen are following her. The bride's family sets the table and waits for the groom. The groom brings candies and sweets with him and treats the women. He is seated at the table, but he behaves rather modestly, eats and drinks little, and tries to make the best impression on the bride's relatives. During the feast, the groom should be asked to leave the table and go to thank the women who cooked and set the table for their work and hospitality. The women drink from glasses, then the groom puts money in them. Afterwards everyone returns to the table. Guests usually leave after midnight. The next morning of the second day, all the children come running to see the bride. The bride gives the boys toys, and the girl braids her hair. Closer to lunch, the bride's dowry is brought from the bride's house. Usually young people (friends, girlfriends of the bride) accompany the dowry; at the groom’s house they are greeted with everything necessary - a feast, treats, dancing, songs that do not stop until the morning. Previously, the groom could not be present during the wedding in his own home, but was with the best man. Currently, the groom can see the bride on the second day of the wedding. He arrives with his best man and a couple of friends; he must have three pies and beer with him, which are handed over by the road. At an Ossetian wedding, there used to be a custom of “kidnapping the bride,” but even now it is more relevant than ever. The groom's friends kidnap the bride and take her to the planned place, taking with them various dishes from the wedding. At night they have fun, laugh jokingly at the groom, and in the morning they send the young woman to her bored sweetheart. Sometimes the bride was kidnapped for two or three nights. In the coming days after the wedding, the groom's family invites the neighbors, who helped serve the guests and took care of all the troubles, back to their house. The head of the house treats everyone and wishes all the neighbors only holidays and laughter in their homes. Some time after the wedding, the groom's parents invite the bride's family to their house. A feast, songs and dances are arranged. The bride's parents do the same. After such receptions, relatives have the right to visit each other at any time and without invitation.
Peculiarities
The image of the Ossetian bride is richly decorated with symbols. First of all, it contains a symbol of fertility, since the main purpose of a woman is procreation.
The bride's dress is decorated with embroidery resembling branched horns. It decorates the edges of the robe and serves as a powerful amulet. The cap on the newlywed's head is also decorated with amulets - they are embroidered with gold and silver threads and decorated with bright stones, preferably a ruby hue.
The dress is divided into three parts: top, middle and bottom. In the wedding attire, the Ossetian bride's outfit has zones that are divided by a cap, a collar and a belt.
It was believed that on the wedding day the bride was especially susceptible to the machinations of evil spirits and was very vulnerable. That is why the abundance of amulets and protective symbols is considered a special feature of a wedding dress.
A little about the secret visit
Ossetian wedding traditions are diverse.
One of the rituals is a secret visit to the groom’s girlfriend’s house with friends. The elder, who is already married, and the younger best man must be present. After a secret visit, these people become the bride's brothers. They agree that they will protect the girl all her life. During the visit, the beloved's relatives are in the next room. Once they have made a few toasts, the future spouse will enter the room with their groomsmen. Women serve men. They must pour full glasses of wine. And after the men empty them, they invest money there.
On the day of the secret visit, the son-in-law presents the mother-in-law with sweets, and gives the future wife a wedding dress and engagement ring.
Colors and fabrics
The caftan in traditional outfits is made from expensive natural fabrics. Mostly it is silk, satin or velvet. The sides of the caftan, hem and collar are decorated with galloon and gold embroidery. The belt could also have various decorative elements. Under the caftan, the newlywed wears a cotton or silk shirt of yellow or red color. The corset for the caftan is made of silk folded in several layers.
The swing wedding dress was originally made from red material. But fashion has made its own adjustments. Today, the Ossetian bride's outfit is made in light colors with bright elements. You can meet Ossetian women in cream, blue, and pink wedding dresses. But still, most girls prefer snow-white wedding national decorations made of expensive materials.
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For students in grades 1-11 and preschoolers
Chapter 1.
Ossetians are one of the nationalities of the North Caucasus………
Chapter 2.
National Ossetian men's costume…………….
The national Ossetian costume is a kind of bridge between the past and the future. It carries within itself the characteristics of the traditions, customs and spiritual culture of the people.
In our work we showed the originality of the national men's costume.
Subject of study -
national Ossetian men's costume.
Analysis of literature and materials from Internet sites.
Observations and conversations.
The purpose of the work is to explore the history and features of the national Ossetian men's costume.
Main objectives of the study:
- study literature on the history of nationalities and their costumes;
- characterize individual parts of the Ossetian masculine
— examine the level of knowledge of 2nd grade students on the subject of knowledge
Ossetian men's suit;
- prepare a presentation of the work.
Chapter 1. Ossetians are one of the nationalities of the North Caucasus.
An Iranian-speaking people, the Ossetians, live in the North Caucasus. They are descendants of the ancient Sarmatians, Alans and Scythians. Nowadays, Ossetians live on the southern and northern slopes of the central part of the main Caucasus ridge. The number of Ossetians is more than 600 thousand people in the world (in the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania there are 335 thousand people). A peculiarity of the history of this people is that for many centuries it has been divided into two parts: northern and southern. The northern part of the Ossetians makes up the main population of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, with its center in the city of Vladikavkaz and is part of the Russian Federation.
Varieties
Despite the strict requirement that all mandatory elements be present in an Ossetian wedding dress, the bride still has the right to choose. She can try on outfits where the sleeves are narrow or flared. Can replace the traditional fabric of wedding clothing with a more modern one. For example, a classic white Ossetian bride's dress made of expensive guipure or tulle will, in its style, completely repeat the historical requirements of the outfit of an Ossetian bride.
Arrival for the betrothed
A few years ago, a wedding in Ossetia was celebrated in the groom’s house. Many guests were invited to the event. The festive table was placed in the courtyard. In modern times, young people prefer to celebrate their wedding in a restaurant.
An Ossetian wedding is conventionally divided into two types: the celebration of the bride and groom. In the morning, the future spouse's relatives, neighbors and friends come to his house. The eldest of the best men decides who will go in the cortege to pick up the bride, and also gives several instructions. It is mandatory for the girl's parents, senior and junior groomsmen to follow her. The retinue gives the groom's chosen one pies, cakes, sweets and alcoholic drinks.
They are greeted at the doorstep with glasses of wine. The guests wish the bride and groom well, happiness and long love. Then everyone goes into the house. The bride occupies a prominent and honorable place. But after a few minutes she is taken to an adjacent room, where she can change into a wedding dress.
Accessories and shoes
Ossetian wedding dress is decorated with precious stones, silver and embroidery. This makes the outfit not only rich and luxurious, but also quite heavy. Precious stones should be replaced with decorative artificial elements. For example: Swarovski stones, rhinestones, pearls or beads.
The outfit should traditionally come with a silver belt. It is decorated with gilded ornaments and embossing. The belt can also be decorated with red stones.
The Ossetian bride wears chuvyaki on her feet - soft national shoes made from natural fabrics. Following strictly traditions, chuvyaki should be made from a single piece of morocco and decorated with national ornaments. The patterns are embroidered with gold and silver threads.
The bride's veil can be replaced with a transparent scarf. It is put on over the cap and completely hides the girl's face. After the wedding ceremony, this scarf is removed, and instead of it, the cap is covered with a red velvet piece of fabric.
Functions of a belt and a hat in a wedding dress
The belt was worn over a swinging dress and was worn by the girl from the period when matchmaking was allowed. All such products differed in quality, shape, material, and depended on the wealth of the family. Silver belts were passed down from one generation to another. This accessory protected the bride from evil glances. Hats in the shape of a truncated belt with golden floral embroidery protected against damage and also symbolized the high position of the bride at an Ossetian wedding celebration.
Ossetian national costume for men and women
National Ossetian attire, from headdress to shoes, was made by the hands of girls at home. In the old days, fabric for sewing clothes was dyed in various colors; today, factory fabric is used as the main material for production. The traditional clothing of the Ossetian people has a thousand-year history; Scythian-Sarmatian and Alanian motifs are visible in its details. Women's Ossetian national costume was lavishly decorated with embroidery, beads and ornaments. A symbol of fertility was applied to the wedding dress.
The Ossetian national costume is a complete image, harmonious, coordinated in color, decoration and tailoring. It is also a collection of interdependent and complementary parts of clothing, accessories, shoes and jewelry. National Ossetian clothing is distinguished by its high level of preservation; it is not subject to change.
