Stories My Father Told Me, by Helen Zughaib Click next to see each progressive piece of art in the collection.

The Wedding Traditionally after the ceremony in the village church, the bridal procession proceeds to the groom's house, accompanied by musicians, dancers, relatives, wedding guests and any available children. Before the bride enters her new home, her mother and mother-in-law perform a ritual which has been repeated as far as people can remember. The bride's mother attempts to stick a specially prepared roll of bread dough (khamiri) to the upper part of the main doorway. If the dough sticks to the stone arch the bride's female relatives would sing a congratulatory zalagheet because the sticking of the khamiri meant that the marriage would last. The mother-in-law would then place a ripe pomegranate on the doorstep. The bride must stomp on it with enough force to break the fruit and scatter the seed, staining her white dress and shoes in the process. If done successfully, the marriage would be fruitful with many children and grandchildren blessing the house. After this ritual the festivities begin, usually in the garden. The musicians play their ouds and dirbakkis (drums), singers sing, dancers dance and everyone joins in the wedding feast until late in the evening.