Ebook Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons George P Monger 9781576079874 Books
Ebook Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons George P Monger 9781576079874 Books
Download As PDF : Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons George P Monger 9781576079874 Books
An encyclopedia of marriage rites, traditions, and beliefs from around the world, ranging from ancient practices to contemporary ceremonies.
• 200 A–Z entries on wedding practices and beliefs from cultures around the world
• Dozens of photographs of weddings and wedding artifacts
• Numerous illustrations, including the table plan from Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management
• A thorough introduction that explores marriage both as a rite and as a ceremony
Ebook Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons George P Monger 9781576079874 Books
"Most books published by ABC-CLIO have a very high quality, even if they are soemwhat expensive. In the past I have also enjoyed reading several articles and reviews by the author, folklorist George Monger. He is an expert on various aspects of folkore, in particular in some specific areas such as wedding customs in the industrial context (i.e. rituals about how workmates in a factory etc. will celebrate the bride to be who will shortly be leaving them). In this book these particular traditions can be found in the entries on 'factory customs' and the 'Ribbon girl' etc.
Even though the title does not use either the word 'Dictionary' or 'Encyclopedia', this work is an encyclopedia of world wedding customs arranged in alphabetical order. The informative entries range from 'abduction' (bride theft) to 'Zulu weddings'. There is also a detailed index which contains many specific foreign terms which do not constitute actual entries but which are nevertheless mentioned in the text. In place of a bibliography, the author lists a short selection of the most important references after each entry.
Many entries pertain to pre-wedding rituals and traditions such as the 'arranged marriage', 'matchmaking', 'banns', 'betrothal', 'bidding', the 'trouseau' and 'dowry' to name but a few. All such entries are comparative and the author provides parallel forms of the various traditions with reference to several different cultural backgrounds. Conversely, there are also many post-wedding customs such as the patrilocal tradition of the Chinese etc.
There is also a great deal of information on historical customs which are no longer practised. For instance, there is reference to 'rough music' (a form of charivari), 'handfasting'( a type of trial marriage once practised in Scotland) and 'bundling'etc. In some cases a custom has evolved. In the case of the 'Polterabend', for instance, the original motive was often a form of social disapproval analogous with 'charivari'(for which see 'rough music') but the tradition has come to mean playful pranking and celebration organised by friends and relatives.
There are also entries which pertain to important wedding symbols. For instance, there is the 'almond', 'rice', 'rings', 'bells', the 'bouquet', 'bride cake', the 'broom'/'besom', 'colours' and 'confetti' etc. In some of these entries rituals and traditons from mainly one culture are represented. For instance, in the entry on 'almonds' the author describes in interesting detail the Greek traditions (see also the excellent entry on 'Greek weddings'). Other entries such as the 'ring' allude to the distinct traditions from various cultures. Several superstitions such as the 'chimney sweep'(from whom it was lucky for the bride to receive a kiss) and 'cats' etc. are also included.
While the work is extremely well researched, due to the limitations of space, certain customs have obviously been excluded. For instance, while the author provides fascinating entries on wedding customs from both 'China' and 'Japan', there is no mention of the rich customs of Korea (the only reference to Korea being in the context of the mass-wedding which take place in the Unification church/ Moonies founded by Korean businessman Sun Myung Moon). Similarly, while there are excellent entries on wedding customs from European countries such as 'France', 'Germany', 'Spain' and 'Russia' and even 'Russian weddings' and 'Greek weddings', there is very little on Polish weddings which are very distinct in several respects (there are , however, a few allusions to Poland in the index).
Even though the historical background is clearly explained for many customs, there are some entries which constitute new customs. For example, the phenomenon of 'common law marriage' is also represented , as is the controversial 'same sex marriage' between homosexual and lesbian couples.
Another impressive feature of the book is that it provides careful cross references. For instance, the entry on the Jewish 'huppah' gives a cross reference to the 'canopy' (in which parallels of this wedding canopy can be seen in other cultures) as well as a cross reference to the main entry on the 'Jewish wedding'. Moreover, not only is the work cross-cultural in that a host of different ethnic backgrounds are represented, but the entries also reflect the different religious cutoms. For instance, there are entries on 'Hindu weddings', 'Sikh weddings', 'Islamic marriage', the 'Mormon Church' (as wqell as the associated entry of 'polygamy'), 'Quaker weddings' and 'Zoroastrian weddings', etc.
There are hundreds of other interesting topics such as the Irish tradition of the 'strawboys' (also seen at Christmas time), the peculiar muslim custom of 'muta'a'( a form of temporary marriage - also called 'sigheh' in Iran) and the strange custom of marriage to a 'tree'. There is also an entry on 'suttee'(the Hindu custom of a widow burning herself on her husband's pyre) and so amy other subjects from 'anniversaries' (the seventh is bronze, the tenth is tin etc.) as well as institutions like the 'stag night' and 'hen party'/'shower'. The author has the rare gift of presenting well-researched scholarly material in a readable way which is accessible to non-specialists. It is therefore a work that will appeal both to the expert folkorist and casual reader/ prospective bride alike. This book is a wlecome contribution to folklore studies and a necessary reference tool in any library."
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Tags : Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons [George P. Monger] on . An encyclopedia of marriage rites, traditions, and beliefs from around the world, ranging from ancient practices to contemporary ceremonies. <br/>• 200 A–Z entries on wedding practices and beliefs from cultures around the world • Dozens of photographs of weddings and wedding artifacts • Numerous illustrations,George P. Monger,Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons,ABC-CLIO,1576079872,Anthropology - General,Human Geography,Marriage customs and rites.,Customs,Customs Traditions,Customs folklore,Encyclopedia,General Adult,Geography and World Cultures Culture; Arranged Marriage; Bangladesh; Bridesmaid; Bundling; Cake, Wedding; Church Porch, Weddings in; Civil Ceremonies; Confetti; Dowry; Dress, Wedding; Gypsy Weddings; Honeymoon; Huppah; Islamis Marriage; Jewish Weddings; Polygyny; Rings; Shower; Valentine's Day,History,MANNERS AND CUSTOMS,Marriage relationships,Marriage customs and rites,Men's Studies,Non-Fiction,Reference works,SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General,SOCIAL SCIENCE / Human Geography,Social History,Social Science,Sociology,TEXT,United States,Weddings,History / Social History,REFERENCE / Weddings,Social Studies General,Sociology customs traditions
Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons George P Monger 9781576079874 Books Reviews :
Marriage Customs of the World From Henna to Honeymoons George P Monger 9781576079874 Books Reviews
- Most books published by ABC-CLIO have a very high quality, even if they are soemwhat expensive. In the past I have also enjoyed reading several articles and reviews by the author, folklorist George Monger. He is an expert on various aspects of folkore, in particular in some specific areas such as wedding customs in the industrial context (i.e. rituals about how workmates in a factory etc. will celebrate the bride to be who will shortly be leaving them). In this book these particular traditions can be found in the entries on 'factory customs' and the 'Ribbon girl' etc.
Even though the title does not use either the word 'Dictionary' or 'Encyclopedia', this work is an encyclopedia of world wedding customs arranged in alphabetical order. The informative entries range from 'abduction' (bride theft) to 'Zulu weddings'. There is also a detailed index which contains many specific foreign terms which do not constitute actual entries but which are nevertheless mentioned in the text. In place of a bibliography, the author lists a short selection of the most important references after each entry.
Many entries pertain to pre-wedding rituals and traditions such as the 'arranged marriage', 'matchmaking', 'banns', 'betrothal', 'bidding', the 'trouseau' and 'dowry' to name but a few. All such entries are comparative and the author provides parallel forms of the various traditions with reference to several different cultural backgrounds. Conversely, there are also many post-wedding customs such as the patrilocal tradition of the Chinese etc.
There is also a great deal of information on historical customs which are no longer practised. For instance, there is reference to 'rough music' (a form of charivari), 'handfasting'( a type of trial marriage once practised in Scotland) and 'bundling'etc. In some cases a custom has evolved. In the case of the 'Polterabend', for instance, the original motive was often a form of social disapproval analogous with 'charivari'(for which see 'rough music') but the tradition has come to mean playful pranking and celebration organised by friends and relatives.
There are also entries which pertain to important wedding symbols. For instance, there is the 'almond', 'rice', 'rings', 'bells', the 'bouquet', 'bride cake', the 'broom'/'besom', 'colours' and 'confetti' etc. In some of these entries rituals and traditons from mainly one culture are represented. For instance, in the entry on 'almonds' the author describes in interesting detail the Greek traditions (see also the excellent entry on 'Greek weddings'). Other entries such as the 'ring' allude to the distinct traditions from various cultures. Several superstitions such as the 'chimney sweep'(from whom it was lucky for the bride to receive a kiss) and 'cats' etc. are also included.
While the work is extremely well researched, due to the limitations of space, certain customs have obviously been excluded. For instance, while the author provides fascinating entries on wedding customs from both 'China' and 'Japan', there is no mention of the rich customs of Korea (the only reference to Korea being in the context of the mass-wedding which take place in the Unification church/ Moonies founded by Korean businessman Sun Myung Moon). Similarly, while there are excellent entries on wedding customs from European countries such as 'France', 'Germany', 'Spain' and 'Russia' and even 'Russian weddings' and 'Greek weddings', there is very little on Polish weddings which are very distinct in several respects (there are , however, a few allusions to Poland in the index).
Even though the historical background is clearly explained for many customs, there are some entries which constitute new customs. For example, the phenomenon of 'common law marriage' is also represented , as is the controversial 'same sex marriage' between homosexual and lesbian couples.
Another impressive feature of the book is that it provides careful cross references. For instance, the entry on the Jewish 'huppah' gives a cross reference to the 'canopy' (in which parallels of this wedding canopy can be seen in other cultures) as well as a cross reference to the main entry on the 'Jewish wedding'. Moreover, not only is the work cross-cultural in that a host of different ethnic backgrounds are represented, but the entries also reflect the different religious cutoms. For instance, there are entries on 'Hindu weddings', 'Sikh weddings', 'Islamic marriage', the 'Mormon Church' (as wqell as the associated entry of 'polygamy'), 'Quaker weddings' and 'Zoroastrian weddings', etc.
There are hundreds of other interesting topics such as the Irish tradition of the 'strawboys' (also seen at Christmas time), the peculiar muslim custom of 'muta'a'( a form of temporary marriage - also called 'sigheh' in Iran) and the strange custom of marriage to a 'tree'. There is also an entry on 'suttee'(the Hindu custom of a widow burning herself on her husband's pyre) and so amy other subjects from 'anniversaries' (the seventh is bronze, the tenth is tin etc.) as well as institutions like the 'stag night' and 'hen party'/'shower'. The author has the rare gift of presenting well-researched scholarly material in a readable way which is accessible to non-specialists. It is therefore a work that will appeal both to the expert folkorist and casual reader/ prospective bride alike. This book is a wlecome contribution to folklore studies and a necessary reference tool in any library. - In Marriage Customs of the World, Monger explores the traditions and customs surrounding marriage throughout the world. He covers a wide range of topics arranged alphabetically, from ancient to current practices. In the introduction, Monger states that there are "remarkable similarities of thought, ideas, and symbolism across cultures" in the weeding ceremonies. He goes on to note that the "differences in ceremony usually relate to, and reflect cultural and religious views of marriage and the role of the sexes in society" (ix). The purpose of the book is then to give more detail to the premise that weddings and marriage rituals around the world are both similar and distinct.
Monger accomplishes this through the 191 alphabetically arranged entries that vary in length from a few sentences to several pages. Each entry contains a book reference list for further investigation. Also included are an assortment of photographs and illustrations to enhance the written entries. The book contains a lengthy index referring not only to the text but to the images as well.
Many topics covered are very broad, such as the (bridal) shower, while others are more specific, ie Maori Wedding. Individual concepts of marriage are listed as well as many individual countries and also some religions. The book, written by a British author, does not include a section for the United States or for North America or even any part of South America. Certain entries seem to be lacking relevant facts or else clearly state false or outdated information.
Overall, this reference is well written and would be appropriate for a scholar or student as well as the general public. The text is fairly reasonably priced and is easily understood as well as interesting. As well as being useful in a personal collection, it would be helpful in an academic, public or school library. - George Monger is a folklorist (or ethnologist), and it shows in the eclectic nature of his encyclopedia, which describes the customs of the ancients alongside Western European customs dating often no further back than the 18th centuries. Much of the information presented about "modern" European customs come across as "quaint" or "folksy," and this is a reflection of the time in which they were readily in practice. Nonetheless, his research is sound -- especially when compared to books from within the wedding industry about "customary" practices. His descriptions of weddings from the classical period are particularly useful in dealing with these as complete ceremonies, rather than pointing out the composite parts that allegedly survived from that period (as when popular books try to make the ridiculous argument that modern veils are directly derived from Roman wedding praxes).
This book has its shortcomings. It might have been more aptly named "Marriage Customs of the Old World," since there is precious little information about the New. It is also a relatively pricey investment, for individual use. I think this is definitely a book to be recommended for libraries and other shared resources for books, where it will undeniably be put to good use by a larger audience. Weddings are, after all, supposed to take place once in a lifetime. This is a book that should be shared as widely as possible. Its broad perspective and penchant for detail are to be commended. Folklorists may find the book a bit dated, in areas, but brides, grooms, and wedding planners will no doubt find a multitude of uses for this book.
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