Yukpa Nitak Aiitauaya

We learned recently that Kayla is part Choctaw, so we decided to check into wedding traditions of this native American tribe from the southeastern region of the US.

First off ... if a guy is interested in a girl he throws a small stone in her direction. If she picks it up and throws it back, it means she's interested. If she walks away, there are no prospects of a courtship. If the gesture is returned, the potential groom leaves, then returns a few days later with gifts for the parents. If they accept the gifts, they approve. The female relatives of the bride interview the groom and likewise female relatives of the groom interview the bride. If they approve, courtship begins.

The day of the wedding, the bride and groom both race to a pole. If the bride reaches the pole before the groom it means she doesn't want to marry. If she lets him catch her, the wedding begins. Apparently the bride shows she's is strong when it takes the groom a bit of time to catch her.

Both the bride and groom wear brightly colored clothes. The bride wears a ruffly dress and apron. The groom wears a colorful shirt with a wide chest design, a sash for a belt and a wide brimmed black hat. At the wedding is a feast (corn based meal) and dancing. It includes gifts (usually thrown on the bride's head and shoulders - ouch - then snatched off her by relatives and presented to the couple later) and a speech by the elder of the tribe. One thing we found particularly interesting is that Choctaw tradition says the groom is never allowed to look at his new mother-in-law ... ever. If they are in the same room, there must be a partition between them. Would be very interesting if Anton never looked at Kayla's mom, Irene, or I never looked at Rob. Sheesh.

Want to say I love you in Choctaw? It's "Chi hollo li." So there you go. I'm thinking we won't throw gifts at Ayla and Kayla's heads. Nor will we make the couples race to a pole. But it's fun to learn what other cultures do for weddings! Yukpa Nitak Aiitauaya! (Happy Wedding Day!)

Discussion: What intrigues you about the Choctaw traditions? Anything you would want to utilize?

Prayer: Father God, you have created all these different kinds of people all over the world. All are so beautiful. It is interesting to see what their different traditions are. Thank you, Father, for creating us all in Your image. In Jesus, Amen.