By Esther Atani, The Sight News
The Indian Women Association Abuja Chapter in conjunction with the Indian High Commission and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on Saturday, 13th of April hosted a cultural presentation themed: Brides of India.
The event was held to commemorate the 550th anniversary of the birth of the first Sikh Guru and the founder of the Sikh community, Guru Nanak Sanjib.
It also marked the Foundation Day for the Indian Women’s Association.
The main feature of the event was the showcase of Indian weddings and bridal costumes from different Indian communities and tribes.
In honour of the Sikh Guru’s anniversary, the first bride on the parade was dressed as a traditional Sikh bride. Brides from Goa, Garara, Delhi and other communities were also showcased.
A short demonstration of a typical Indian wedding was showcased in which the bride’s friends danced, as the bride was decorated with henna.
The couple exchanged flower garlands and walked round the sacred fire seven times to wrap up the ceremony.
A traditional Indian band, Bastar Band also performed at the event. The Bastar Band which is a local devotional band, is dedicated to preserving the Indian heritage and musical instruments on the verge of extinction.
The Indian music featured ornate bamboo instruments, carvings and elaborate headpieces and the performance included using cooking tools such as sieves, mortars and pestles as instruments of music.
The performance by the Bastar Band closed the event.
The event was graced by dignitaries such as the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Femi Adesina; the DG of the Council of Arts and Craft, Otunba Runsewe, heads of Missions and the Indian High Commissioner, Mr Abhay Thakur.
