Tibetan Wedding, Westminster, CA, 2001
Item Description
Placing the "dadhar" correctly behind Pema's high "patu" and one shoulder takes the skill of several hands, until it is accomplished and she is prepared for her the nuptials. The height of her headdress makes for problems in the back seat of the car; Pema will need to keep her head lowered during her ride to the place of the nuptial rite.
Katrina Thomas's notes: In 1950, when China invaded Tibet, thousands fled with the Dalai Lama to India. Until 1991, few emigrated to the U.S., and there are still few here so that many years pass until I find a Tibetan wedding. Finally, in 2001, it is the last culture I photograph. In her home, the bride, wearing traditional attire and a patu, a colorful headdress with cone-like rolls of hair standing alongside, executes the rituals to welcome the bridegroom's family, bringing a sheaf of arrows, dadhar, to claim her as a wife. In a rented hall, their guests witness the couple married in a civil ceremony, and then celebrate a wedding, enlivened by songs and dances. In lieu of garlands, every guest honors the newlyweds by wrapping white scarves, khadaks, around their necks.
Photographer's categories: Prenuptial rite , Bride , Traditional apparel , Bridegroom emissaries , Unity symbol , Conveyance