Karpathos Islander Wedding, Brooklyn, NY, 1991
After the nuptial rite, Faye and Elias stand outside the church, receiving guests. Faye, being the eldest daughter, wears a kolaina, gold coins stitched by her mother onto gauze-covered ribbons. Elias wears a lace mandili, draped over his shoulders by Faye's mother.
Katrina Thomas's notes: Greek-Americans from a mountainous island in the Dodecanese began to emigrate to the U.S. in 1965, retaining ties to their villages to which they regularly return. In both the land of their ancestors and in America, they keep time-honored customs of music and dance. On the wedding morning, in the homes of both bride and groom, for many hours male friends and relatives sing original lyrics, honoring each family. The verses are accompanied by traditional instruments, the lyra, its five wire strings plucked, and a lauoto, its three strings, played with a bow. Later, at the wedding reception, after the hired band leaves, a trio of friends plays these instruments, often adding a bagpipe, known as a tsambouna, to perform dance music until early morning.
Thomas, Katrina (photographer)
1991
1 photograph : black-and-white
reformatted digital
North and Central America--United States--New York--New York
BMC-M59
Photographer's categories: Post-nuptial , Receiving line , Congratulation , Bride , Bridal jewelry , Bridegroom , Shawl , Mother
BMC-M59_37-04