This
article presents an analysis of the food consumed during the wedding
ceremonies of Germans living in Siberia, and describes the main
functions and characteristics of this food. It explains the symbolic
meaning of many ritual meals in relation to each element of the wedding
ceremony, from matchmaking to the final day of the celebration. Bread
was the most important type of food in these rituals; it was present
throughout the wedding ceremony as a symbol of wealth and prosperity as
well as a sign of agreement and marital union. Elements of productive
magic such as grains and legumes symbolized health, wealth, and
procreation. Meat (pork and chicken) and the dishes prepared with it
were seen as possessing powers of fertility.
Keywords
- Siberia;
- Germans;
- wedding food;
- symbol;
- sign;
- ceremony;
- ritual.
Copyright © 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.
