Eritrean Weddings Explained - Kal Kidan (Part 1)
The Kal Kidan: The Sacred Heart of the Eritrean Orthodox Wedding Ceremony
Weddings are more than a single day of celebration. They are a collection of sacred moments, cultural traditions, and stories passed down through generations. In Eritrean weddings, each step carries deep meaning, from the vows made before God to the joyous dances that follow.
As someone who specializes in Eritrean wedding photography, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing these traditions firsthand. Through this new blog series, I’ll be exploring the different aspects of Eritrean weddings: what they symbolize, how they unfold, and why they matter, so that couples and families can both celebrate and preserve these rich cultural practices.
This first part begins with the Kal Kidan, the sacred covenant at the heart of the Eritrean Orthodox wedding ceremony.
The Kal Kidan, meaning “the Covenant”, is the ceremony containing a vow made before God, family, and community. This sacred ceremony is rich in symbolism, weaving together faith, tradition, and love in a way that has endured for generations.
The Sacred Kabbas
The black and gold embroidered cloths draped over the couple are called kabbas. Reserved for holy sacraments, the kabbas symbolize reverence, royalty, and the covering of God’s presence. In this moment, the couple is enveloped in divine protection and blessing, joined together as one.
The Blessing and Anointing
The ceremony begins with the priest blessing the couple through prayer, holy oil, and the cross. As part of this blessing, the priest anoints the bride and groom’s foreheads with oil. This act is more than symbolic. It represents the Holy Spirit’s presence upon their marriage, sealing their union in faith.
Vows Before God
The heart of the Kal Kidan is the vow. With hands resting on the Holy Gospel, the bride and groom pledge themselves to one another. These vows are not just promises of love but commitments rooted in God’s word and the heritage of their ancestors.
Rings of Eternal Promise
The exchange of rings follows. Simple in design but eternal in promise, these bands seal the vows made before God, the priest, and the gathered community. They are not just jewelry, but the unbroken circle of commitment that will carry through their shared life.
Witnesses to the Covenant
Once the vows are spoken, the couple signs their marriage certificate. They are joined by three witnesses, whose signatures affirm the covenant before God, family, and church. This act highlights that marriage is not a private union. It is one strengthened and upheld by the surrounding community.
From Reverence to Celebration
As the final prayer is sung, the ceremony transitions from sacred stillness to jubilant worship. A mezmur begins, accompanied by the shimmering rhythm of the tsenatsil (sistrums). Men and women rise, moving in unison with mequamia, wooden prayer sticks that serve both as symbols of faith and instruments of rhythm.
The beat of the drum, the clack of the sistrum, and the steady steps with the mequamia weave a tapestry of sound and movement. It is a living echo of centuries of worship and joy.
More Than a Ceremony
The Kal Kidan is more than a wedding moment — it is a promise rooted in faith, wrapped in family, and alive with the spirit of community. At Life Photos, I specialize in capturing Eritrean weddings with deep respect for their traditions, ensuring every cultural detail is preserved with love and care. From the reverence of the vows to the celebration that follows, my lens tells the story of your heritage as beautifully as your heart remembers it.
If you’d like your own Kal Kidan photographed with this same cultural attention and storytelling, I’d be honored to connect with you. For more information, visit my wedding page here: https://www.lifephotoshiwet.com/weddings
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