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MICHOŠANA – A LATVIAN TRADITION WITH ADDED VALUE

We have heard a lot about Latvian weddings, but what exactly does the term "Latvian wedding" include? Is it a wedding which are called weddings or weddings in which the new couple wears traditional costumes? Can it be about a Latvian wedding? to be called also those where the only Latvian tradition is more than an hour long michošanas ritual ? The interpretations are so different, how the very concept of "Latvianness" is understood and explained in different ways, but one thing is absolutely clear - a kind of this Latvianness has magic, especially during the solstice.

Believes in everything after the fight

It seems that the most well-known tradition at weddings, which is often associated with the sign of equality - Latvianness, is michošana. over, those who have experienced it in Latvian traditions admit that it was one of the most magical moments of the entire wedding day. Līga and Nauris Jansoni said their vows in the church in the presence of friends and relatives last summer, and as a surprise the conductors had invited the folklore ensemble Delve to the young couple at midnight.

mičošana — Photo: ZINTIS REIZINS / Folklore group: DELVE

Not only the young couple, but also the guests were involved in the more than an hour-long party, organizing separate rituals for both women and men. Of course, each of these rituals carried its own meaning and message.

"I remember how after the party I told the guests that now I believe in everything - like God, Santa Claus and miracles for the fairies. It was really a very touching and magical experience," admits Līga.

Do not mix different traditions together

It is true that there are all kinds of opinions about the need for a wedding ceremony, but there is one important thing that needs to be understood everyone involved in the wedding, that is, to understand the true meaning of michošanas and Latvian rituals.

Wedding photographer Billy Lotz advises couples to understand what a wedding means to them ceremony in the church and traditional Latvian rituals and think about what to include in your wedding day because of the ceremony church and Latvian traditional or pagan massing are very different things.

"I think it's better to either stick to church values with a ceremony in a church or plan your wedding in Latvian with an alignment ceremony, but don't mix these things together on the same day,” says Billy.

Also plant wife and soul support Inin Nini indicates that traditions of must be carefully evaluated because, according to her, alcohol at a wedding cannot be combined in any way with sacred rituals, for example tradition of michosana.

"If you want to develop it as a true ceremony of fertility, gratitude for the past and intercession for the future, then alcohol in this inconceivable in the context.

If it is known that the guests will be drunk, it is better not to do such sacred, beautiful things. Everyone will have a feeling of disappointment - both for the newlyweds who will be disturbed by different energies in the room, and for the guests who will be intoxicated waiting for a "bigger show" and to the invited ritualists who will not be able to complete their sacred work,” Inin Nini admits.

Every Latvian has a forest in his head

This, in many ways, also the wedding manager Arvis Zēmanis , who not only manages the wedding, but has also created his own Latvian mixing program for couples. Arvi is no stranger to Latvian traditions, since he is seven has been dancing in group A folk dance collective Līgo for years. "I have always been close to folklore - both my children had krustabas, and at my own wedding there was a ritual of mixing with a group of folklore, I have also been at many folk dance dancers' weddings - everywhere I have seen not only my own, but also other people's Latvianness in a completely different light.

I am sure that Latvianness lives in every Latvian, a river flows in our blood, we have folk songs on our tongues, because we we can both wish and receive a wish and finally - every Latvian has a forest in his head, and every Latvian needs to find your own forest," assured Arvis.

He also points out that the wedding is not a schedule, so there is no need to organize the procession at midnight, just because it is expected. "The ideal time for mixing would actually be around 11. At that time, the guests are not yet so drunk, they can focus and they are not organically pulled out of the party mood.

If we want the guests to be calm and emotional, then midnight might not be the right time for partying, especially when if alcoholic beverages are used at the wedding," says Arvis. When he created the mixing ritual, he named it making wishes, during which the guests silently wish the couple good wishes. Both unmarried and married people say them couples - for them, this ritual of mixing helps them to return to their feelings of love.