Wedding traditions of Siwa
A desert oasis where the bride wears heavy silver and a Berber Siwi language is spoken.
Siwa Oasis lies near the Libyan border, and the Siwi people speak a Berber language. Siwan weddings are known for the silver jewellery of the bride and for a long period of preparation. The oasis is also known for dates, olives and the Siyaha festival of reconciliation each autumn.
A wedding here
In older custom the bride wore a large silver disc, adrim, and a silver collar, and was kept apart for days. Songs are sung in Siwi, and the groom's family brings dates and bread. Today many Siwans hold a shorter celebration but keep silver as a gift.
The season and the calendar
The date harvest in the autumn gives families work and income, and weddings often follow it. The Siyaha festival gathers the oasis communities in October.
Wedding customs of Siwa
Also part of it, and being written: Siwa Oasis (The oasis.), Siwi language (The Berber language.), Silver jewellery (The ornament of the bride.), Siwa date (The oasis food.).
A wedding trail idea for Siwa
- Shali Fortress The old mud-brick town.
- Temple of the Oracle at Siwa An ancient oracle site.
- Great Sand Sea The desert beyond.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Nothing matches those filters yet. Take one off, or check back: new traditions are written every day.