The Culture that Practices Blackening the Bride Before Marriage
The culture that throws dirt at the bride before her wedding day
Blackening is a traditional wedding ceremony that is performed on a to-be bride weeks before her wedding day. The culture is usually found in the rural areas of northeast Scotland, the Highlands, and the Northern Isles.
The Origin of Blackening the Bride Ritual
According to research by Dr. Sheila Young from the University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Institute, the Blackening custom was birthed During the 19th century, from a cleansing ritual referred to as feet-washing. It initially a cleaning ritual aimed at preparing women for marriage. During the feet-washing, the women's feet were blackened with soot that's gotten from a chimney. According to Dr. Young, by the early 20th century, the ritual became more of an outdoor activity especially for couples getting married during summer. So it began to involve other activities such as pillorying, and tar feathering.
Over time, the custom had couples running away from the custom but they are eventually captured and blackened. It is believed to have lost its relevance as a cleansing ritual and become more of a dirtying ritual with a figurative meaning.
