ABOUT THE GANJA POPULATION'S KIZSECHME, ELCHİLİK CUSTOMS AND ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY

Abstract

Abstract. The article is devoted to the ethnological study of the (kızsechme- bride choosing, elchilik (the girl's request to her family to marry the chosen bride to the family's son) customs and engagement ceremony, which constitute an important aspect of family life in the city of Ganja, one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan, distinguished by its rich material and spiritual culture, customs and traditions, which gave the world such poetry and art geniuses and masters as Abullula, Mahsati, Nizami, Mirza Shafi Vazeh, etc., as well as several commanders in the person of Javad Khan. This article provides extensive information on who previously selected girls for the boys who were going to get married, why the poor did not go as elchilik to the doors of wealthy families, and the main reasons for this. At the same time, it is said that a woman called a "go-between" is appointed for the chosen girl, and that she visits the girl several times under certain pretexts to collect information (for example, the girl's character, work skills, cleanliness, whether she is defective, hospitality, relationship with her siblings, etc.). The article extensively comments on issues such as who participates in the first and second-third emissaries, bringing sweet tea to the table after the girl's family answers "yes" to the emissaries, and not marrying off the younger ones when the older brother or sister is present.

Another point followed in the article is the process after the  small and large engagement ceremonies. According to the collected materials, a few days after the balga (small engagement ceremony), the boy's house would take 10-15 relatives and a red khoncha, jewelry, and a kelaghayi. This was called "taking the balga." The boy's house would cover the cost of meat, food, and other products to be used in the balga ceremony. Wealthy families would also hold an engagement ceremony after the balga. Unlike the balga, more guests would attend the engagement ceremony. The boy's house would also pay for the food and drink at this ceremony.