[ad#Link share in post google replacement] Sahara Nomad weddings are something I always wondered about. I never knew I would actually be the groom in one!
If you want to book your own Sahara adventure, here are the guys to talk to: MoroccoSahara.com
In the evening Assou’s sisters came with the traditional Nomad wedding garments and they dressed Hanane and I. Hanane’s garb was a white gown with heavy jewelry that could easily be used to kill.
Her hair and makeup were done with care. A final touch was a Berber woven cloth bag which they placed over her entire head and tied with a ribbon. Our Sahara Nomad Wedding – Part 1Our Sahara Nomad Wedding – Part 2
Sahara Nomad Wedding Virtual Wedding Album
As for me, I fared better, I was wrapped up in Djellaba and turban so that only my eyes were still showing. We were led outside to the courtyard where we sat on comfortable cushions while Berber musicians played desert music for our pleasure.
In a traditional Berber wedding, the bride has her head covered for three days and the bride and groom sit in desert tents during this time while there is Henna, music, dancing, and feasting.
Thankfully, our bagged time was reduced to about 45 minutes at which point Hanane had the bag removed from her head, I was un-wrapped, and then we danced and sang. My bride was beautiful under the bag and I was glad to be able to see her again.
The music and dancing were spectacular and all the Berber’s treated us as their own family.
When we moved inside and were set behind a table lit with candles, Hanane and I had bought the cookies which are usually made and distributed by the family in both Arab and Berber weddings and we distributed tea and cookies to all the guests. Sam-Omar offered to distribute the tea and I told him that as the groom it was my responsibility.
The music and dancing were blissfully limited to about an hour and then Hanane and I retired to our room. We’d had the first part of our wedding and it was beautiful and wonderful, exotic and exciting….
In our room, we had that moment when the bride and groom realize that they are happiest to be together without anyone else. After all, we didn’t marry our families…even if it seems like we did sometimes.
Coming Soon Our Sahara Nomad Wedding – Part 4 – Gnawas and Rug Merchants
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About Vago Damitio
Vago Damitio (@vagodamitio) is the Editor-in-Chief for Vagobond. He jumped ship from a sinking dotcom in 2000 and decided to reclaim his most valuable commodity, time. He bought a VW bus for $100, moved into it and set out on a journey to show the world that it was possible to live life on your own terms. That journey took him from waking up under icy blankets in the Pacific Northwest to waking up under palm tress in Southeast Asia. Three years later, his first book, Rough Living: Tips and Tales of a Vagabond was published. After diving into the Anthropology of Tourism and Electronic Anthropology at the University of Hawaii (with undeclared minors in film and surf) he hit the road again in 2008. Since that time,he's lived primarily in Morocco and Turkey, married a Moroccan girl he couchsurfed with, and become a proud father. He's been to more than 40 countries, founded a successful online travel magazine (this one!), and still doesn't have a boss. Life is good. You can also find him on Google+ and at Facebook
Congratulations on Part 3. So glad you are posting pics. By far one of the coolest and different weddings I have seen (from afar). You guys look good together. I am enjoying your narrative greatly.
Will you ever come to Hawaii? I would love to host you ;-)
Yay Vago and Hanane!
Yes. Editing. I think I’ll start referring to you by the name your ex husband gave you. RESPECT. Think about it.
Nice pitures Vago…looks like a beautful wedding. -Those spiked bangles look like handcuffs, though… ;]
Thanks for sharing.
Jason
What a beautiful wedding, holding it in the desert. Cool idea bro!
Thanks HZ. We had a great time. It was either that or in the donkey souk..lol.