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Mathe Te Chamkan Vaal

A family’s pride and joy at the marriage of their son and brother is reflected in this song. These four verses describe four ceremonial events that the groom goes through - the gana, mehndi, sehra and ghodi - just prior to his leaving for the brides home. The song is addressed to the groom and the singer, as in most of the ghoDi songs is that sister of the groom.

Our bridegrooms’ hair sparkles on his forehead!

Come dear groom, tie the ceremonial cord,
The cord has four strands.

Come dear groom, wear the ceremonial henna,
The color of henna is deep red.

Come dear groom, tie the ceremonial headdress,
Garlands of flowers hang from the sehra.

Come dear groom, climb the ceremonial mare,
With two of your brothers.

Our bridegrooms’ hair sparkles on his forehead!

The key word in this song is Shagan/sagan. I have translated it as ‘ceremonial’ to refer to the non-religious ceremonies. It is custom that dictated the wearing of henna, the tying of the sehra etc., not religion.

Banna/banada: lit. the bridegroom. In usage it translates to my-son-the-bridegroom/my-brother-the-bridegroom

Sarbala: the companions/ protectors/best men who rode along with the groom to the home of the bride. It used to be two younger brothers who rode the mare with the groom but nowadays it is down one brother or nephew.

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