Amazing Iran

For the Iranian Turkmen a wedding is one of most important social events in their culture and is still celebrated according to old nomadic tradition. The Turkmen Steppe, the country of a thousand mountains, is a tribute to the hidden treasure that is Iran. Home to a proud nation with a majestic history, we show the freedom of a nomadic life, encounter the wild nature of the people and discover old traditions like the Turkmen wedding. Breathtaking sceneries create a mysticism that transports viewers into the realm of divinity while exposing a world caught between tradition and modernity - nomadism and sedentarism. Weddings in Iran are primarily arrangements between families and the product of lengthy negotiations. Even though many customs are purely symbolic, they still reflect the great significance as a rite of transition for the newlyweds and their families. The life of the Turkmen housewife revolves around weddings – first her own, later those of her children. Raising healthy, capable daughters and sons searching for possible partners mediating contact negotiating each betrothal with the family of the intended shouldering the wedding arrangements and the observance of customs and traditions – the responsibility for all of that falls to the mother. Though the Turkmen daughters and sons of today do insist on having their say, love, affection, trust and the like are still not the decisive criteria in making a match. The main consideration is not the subjective happiness of the couple but the happiness, stability and honor of each of their families as a whole. So it is still not uncommon for the bride and groom to be virtual strangers on their wedding day. The nuptials as a ritual of transition mark a series of profound changes – especially in the life of the bride. Once married, she leaves her family and her home village to take her new place within the family of the groom.