It’s marriage season in Dhofar
Published: 05:08 PM,Aug 13,2024 | EDITED : 08:08 PM,Aug 13,2024
Marriage season in Salalah is a time of joy, where families, relatives, and friends come together to celebrate and support newlyweds as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. In Dhofar, the majority of weddings take place during the monsoon (khareef) season, a time when the weather is cooler, businesses thrive, and many residents remain in Salalah to enjoy the beauty of the season.
The season brings happiness for families on both sides, friends and relatives. But, it is not free from challenges for many.
Ahmad, a retired educator, finds himself in a unique situation during the marriage season. Known for his active social life, Ahmad has a vast network of acquaintances. 'A wide circle of contacts means more wedding invitations,' he notes.
“In Dhofar, it’s customary to offer a monetary gift at weddings as part of our participation in the ceremony. This gesture is often reciprocated when there’s a wedding in our family, helping to ease the burden of the rising costs of weddings,” he explains.
Having retired earlier this year, Ahmad received over 100 wedding invitations from across Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, and Itin. While he wished to attend all the weddings, he had to be selective, given the financial commitment involved.
“So far, I’ve attended 83 weddings this season,” Ahmad shares. “The amount you give depends on how close you are to the family. While there’s no set rule, I typically contribute between RO 50 and 10. You can imagine the challenge,” he laughs.
“But I support this tradition because it’s only during the marriage season, and a wise man like me sets aside some money each month for the occasions.” Ahmad values the tradition of giving money at social functions, seeing it as a form of mutual support. “It’s about sharing someone’s burden, even though it’s not mandatory. Some people have started giving gifts instead, but I prefer giving money,” he says.
Similarly, Khalid, who recently began his career, feels the pressure to attend social events and uphold these customs.
“Weddings are mostly held on weekends for everyone’s convenience. Out of the 22 invitations I received, I attended five weddings last week—two in Saada, two in Taqah, and one in Mirbat, contributing TO 10 for each,” he recalls.
Last year, Khalid was able to offer more generous contributions of RO 50, 20, or 10 at weddings. However, after moving into a new home this year, his budget has tightened, and he’s decided to standardise his contributions to RO 10 per wedding.
To ensure he can attend these events without financial strain, Khalid has started saving a little each month for weddings, allowing him to participate with joy while supporting the tradition he holds dear.
The season brings happiness for families on both sides, friends and relatives. But, it is not free from challenges for many.
Ahmad, a retired educator, finds himself in a unique situation during the marriage season. Known for his active social life, Ahmad has a vast network of acquaintances. 'A wide circle of contacts means more wedding invitations,' he notes.
“In Dhofar, it’s customary to offer a monetary gift at weddings as part of our participation in the ceremony. This gesture is often reciprocated when there’s a wedding in our family, helping to ease the burden of the rising costs of weddings,” he explains.
Having retired earlier this year, Ahmad received over 100 wedding invitations from across Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, and Itin. While he wished to attend all the weddings, he had to be selective, given the financial commitment involved.
“So far, I’ve attended 83 weddings this season,” Ahmad shares. “The amount you give depends on how close you are to the family. While there’s no set rule, I typically contribute between RO 50 and 10. You can imagine the challenge,” he laughs.
“But I support this tradition because it’s only during the marriage season, and a wise man like me sets aside some money each month for the occasions.” Ahmad values the tradition of giving money at social functions, seeing it as a form of mutual support. “It’s about sharing someone’s burden, even though it’s not mandatory. Some people have started giving gifts instead, but I prefer giving money,” he says.
Similarly, Khalid, who recently began his career, feels the pressure to attend social events and uphold these customs.
“Weddings are mostly held on weekends for everyone’s convenience. Out of the 22 invitations I received, I attended five weddings last week—two in Saada, two in Taqah, and one in Mirbat, contributing TO 10 for each,” he recalls.
Last year, Khalid was able to offer more generous contributions of RO 50, 20, or 10 at weddings. However, after moving into a new home this year, his budget has tightened, and he’s decided to standardise his contributions to RO 10 per wedding.
To ensure he can attend these events without financial strain, Khalid has started saving a little each month for weddings, allowing him to participate with joy while supporting the tradition he holds dear.