Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Left: The bride, Cherrida McBean, is escorted by her father Clinton McBean during her wedding ceremony held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, last Friday.   Right: Bride and groom, Cherrida McBean and Devon Morris, as they are about to exchange Nikah (marriage vows).

Since Cherrida McBean and Devon Morris are of the Muslim faith, then their nuptials last Friday night were bound to reflect that. But with the bride being of Indian heritage, the Muslim ceremony was merely the beginning. About 24 hours later, they had an Indian wedding ceremony!

McBean, whose parents own the historic Moby Dick restaurant in downtown Kingston and Morris, a constable in the Organised Crime Division, exchanged the first nuptials at the Hilton Kingston hotel.

Usually weddings are not permitted after 6:00 p.m. but the law makes provisions for Muslim marriages. The officiating Imam counselled the couple before the Nikah (marriage vows) were exchanged.

This period included inquiry as to whether the dowry was paid by the husband. Once this is proved, then the wedding continues which includes readings from the Koran.

Blaring horns

Ceremony number two was hosted by the bride's grandmother in Norbrook on Saturday night. The new couple approached the gathering in a small cavalcade with horns blaring to herald their arrival. The bride was greeted as she exited the vehicle by the Raja Sarangie band which had kept the guests entertained as they waited the for the guests of honour to arrive. They then escorted her down, but the groom stayed behind for a special blessing. He was given salbat (a special beverage) and after every sip from him, a little was sprinkled on the ground. He was then ushered to take a seat beside his bride at the head table.

The singing, clapping and playing of music continued with various family members leading the choruses. During the singing, the priest then performs the ceremony which involves throwing rice (and plenty of it), on the couple. They were then presented with pieces of roti to eat before the feast. And quite a feast it was as the roti, curry, chicken and rice and peas were thoroughly enjoyed by the guests.

Paying Dowry

An interesting part of the ceremony was paying of a dowry by the groom to enter the house. The bride's brother 'blocked' the door and until a satisfactory sum was given, he was not getting in. Morris elicited the help of relatives and friends to come up with an acceptable total. This dowry was separate from the one he paid in the first ceremony.

Well, regardless of religion, it was all about love and that is one tradition everybody can understand!

Left: Morlyn McBean (left) hugs her new son-in-law Devon Morris.   Right: Members of Rja Sarangie band in performance at the wedding celebration.