An Ethnographic Study of Events and their Symbolic Representations in a Wedding Ceremony of Ethiopian Orthodox Church: a Bird’s Eye View

Abstract

Marriage is a social institution that prevails in a society. Depending on the culture of the society, various ceremonies of wedding takes place. Among Ethiopians, church marriage (sireate teklil) in the one which is practiced in Ethiopian Orthodox Church.  The wedding ceremony has its own procedures and events, and every event has its own meanings and symbolic representations. Examining family trees and giving lessons about what expected from the couple are the tasks performed before the wedding. Sending elders to the family of the bride comes next. Once the family of the bride agrees, the wedding day can be fixed and the ceremony will be conducted.

Keywords: symbol, church marriage, Orthodox Church