ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO DI GATTEO MARRIAGE TRADITIONS

In the 40s-50s family used to be very different due to the fact that, being firmly catholic, it followed the Christian morals. Marriage was considered a union for life as divorce was not accepted by Italian laws. ( Divorce was approved in 1970). Marriage was usually fulfilled by the birth of more children and family often included grandparents as well. In the last decades the percentage of children in Italian families has been the lowest in Western Europe and more and more couples choose to cohabit even if the union is not legally and religiously recognized.

Marriage traditions we are going to show go back to the 40s till the beginning of the economic boom. Only wealthier people could afford to celebrate it after the religious ceremony, generally held on Sunday morning, all relatives and the closest friends were invited to the lunch party composed of local food, traditional songs and dances performed by one or more musicians. The following day the bridegrooms used to leave for the honeymoon, usually to the nearest town. These are the findings of the interviews conducted by students with their greatgrandparents and grandparents.

THE COURTSHIP The courtship took place during parties ( Carnival period, New Yearss Eve…), street market days, in the courtyards during farming duties, in the houses in winter evenings or in the churchyard.

First the two started talking but the girl was always with her girlfriends or a brother. The courtship was decent (demure) with a mutual exchange of glances and expressions of liking. Even if the girl was very interested she waited for an answer. Meantime the boy could sing a night serenade in the girls courtyard together with his friends.

When the girl agreed the boy had to ask her father to assent. Her father made sure of his honour, differerence of age and his properties. Then the two were engaged and the boy could attend the girls house but never alone. The fiancee gave the girl the engagement ring together with a big cake after some years. If the father did not agree the two used to meet in secret or did an elopement ( fight of love). Once the boy got the girls assent he had to ask her father for her hand he was sure of her answer.

DOWRY BROUGHT BY THE BRIDEGROOMS The bride used to bring the brides trousseau (kit) composed of a dozen of linen sheets, a sheet with a lace, towels, tableclothes, nightdresses, undershirts, blankets, a double blanket made of silk. Most of girls used to spin flax and the kit was sewn by the bride with the help of the women of the family.

She also brought objects like a sewing machine, a bike etc. The groom took care of the new house forniture.

Wedding dresses, flowers and confetti: The bride used to wear a coat or a short dress in spring, often not white because it could also be worn in other occasions. Some of them also wore a veil or a hat. Brides who belonged to wealthier famillies had two dresses: one for the wedding usually white in order to represent virginity, and one for the honeymoon. The groom wore a grey or black suit with a white shirt and a tie.

The bouquet was composed of white flowers made of silk wrapped with a ribbon. It was usualy brought by the groom. At the end of the party the bride took out a coloured little bag with 3 or 5confetti(sugared almond) or homemade sweets to the guests.The number had to be odd, even numbers brought bad luck.

Gifts: they were very simple like for example cutlery, plates,a jug with glasses, fruit bowls and kitchenware or petticoats, paintings, crucifixes or a bunch of flowers. The poorest families used to give hens, homemade food or mattresses.

THE NUPTIALS (THE WEDDING) The wedding took place in the church of the girls native town or village. People used to get married in the church because they were much more religious.

The wedding rings were made of gold and very simple but only wealthy people could allow them. Launch of the rice: guests launched the rice to the young bridegrooms because it was believed it brought more money. As the starch of the rice stained their dresses it was a tradition to join it with small macaroni or confetti

PICTURES TAKEN AFTER THE CEREMONY

After the ceremony they (the richest) organized a lunch party in the farmyard of the husbands house. It consisted of cappelletti in broth (stuffed homemade pasta), boiled and roast meat, vegetables and zuppa inglese ( a typical dessert). The party included folk music performed by by one or more musicians with the accordion and dances ( waltz,polka mazurka, tango).

Beliefs and superstitions linked to marriage Wet bride lucky bride. The bride has to wear a used thing, a lent thing and a new one. The husband carries the wife in his Arms through the threshold of the new house

The groom cant see either the bride nor her dress the day before marriage. The nuptial bed has to be made by an unengaged girl. On Venus (Friday) and on Mars (Tuesday) dont get married, dont leave (go on honeymoon), dont begin any art. You cant marry in Lent or in November (the month of the dead)

Marriage Traditions