Assyrian Wedding, Chicago, IL, 1992

Several thousand dollars may be collected during the money dance, which culminates with Endira aloft on a chair held up by two groomsmen. Adnan was lifted on shoulders when both were entwined by streamers of dollars. Now he is down on the floor.

Katrina Thomas's notes: Those who call themselves Assyrians claim descent from the ancient Assyrian empire, emigrating from any one of Middle Eastern states. They belong generally to the Church of the East or the Church of Antioch. I photographed two weddings and snapped one picture at the nuptial rite of a third. Nuptials are conducted in Aramaic, the first two in Chicago at St. George's Church; the other in Turlock, CA at Mar Addai Church of the East. The couple stand briefly under metal crowns with a twisted cord, symbol of the crowning, which is taken home. Before putting on their rings, the priest blesses them in a goblet of wine and water. At huge receptions, hundreds of richly dressed guests, some in traditional velvet, greet the newlyweds with clapping, dancing, and singing while waving scarves and canes.