So Sereyvuth and Preap Narin Wedding

Wedding Day for Two Cambodian Deaf People

10 March 2002

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Once the rituals upstairs in the bride's home were completed, the center of activity moved downstairs and outside under the large tent erected on a metal frame that completely covered the street and blocked all traffic.The rituals, some serious, some playful, continued until lunch was served under the tent at noon.

The parents symbolically cut the hair of their children
After a stand-up comedian entertained the guests with his monologue and then a song with his female colleague, the parents symbolically snipped the hair of their children and invited some of the guests to do the same. The action seemed very serious but later we learned that it was basically a humorous rite done at all weddings. The couple sit through the rituals
The couple, both profoundly deaf, sat through the entertainer's comic monologue and songs without a murmur of dissent even though no intepreter was provided. They are so accustomed to not understanding what is going on around them that they didn't even insure they would have an interpreter at their own wedding.

Traditional Khmer music Washing the dishes
(Left) Musicians played traditional music on a zither-like instrument, something closest to a banjo but played with a bow, and a small drum. (Above) After all the festivities, the catering crew wash the dishes right there on the dirt street and pack them away for the next function they will serve at.

Page 1 2 3 4

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Once the rituals upstairs in the bride's home were completed, the center of activity moved downstairs and outside under the large tent erected on a metal frame that completely covered the street and blocked all traffic.The rituals, some serious, some playful, continued until lunch was served under the tent at noon.
After a stand-up comedian entertained the guests with his monologue and then a song with his female colleague, the parents symbolically snipped the hair of their children and invited some of the guests to do the same. The action seemed very serious but later we learned that it was basically a humorous rite done at all weddings.	The couple, both profoundly deaf, sat through the entertainer's comic monologue and songs without a murmur of dissent even though no intepreter was provided. They are so accustomed to not understanding what is going on around them that they didn't even insure they would have an interpreter at their own wedding.
	(Left) Musicians played traditional music on a zither-like instrument, something closest to a banjo but played with a bow, and a small drum. (Above) After all the festivities, the catering crew wash the dishes right there on the dirt street and pack them away for the next function they will serve at.