Courtship, Weddings and Marriage

Marriages in rural areas are arranged by the bride's and groom's fathers. The women of the family play an important role in introducing the couple, and daughters are frequently asked if they accept a potential groom before the arrangements are made. This is true for both Muslim and Christian Palestinians. Courtship differs slightly in larger towns and cities, where young men and women are more likely to be introduced by family, but then spend time getting to know one another, usually with a family chaperone, before deciding whether or not to marry.

Though a minority, some middle and upper class Palestinians enjoy the type of courtship most common in the West, meeting and choosing a spouse on their own, based on love. It is also common for Palestinians living in exile to marry people from other countries and cultures.

Weddings in Palestine are elaborate affairs that typically last three days. Village weddings may be attended by the entire village. The bride is paraded to the groom's house, where food, sweets, music, and dancing are served. To feed the guests, the family may slaughter one or more lambs, and members of the extended family frequently pitch in to prepare other dishes. Weddings in cities may be smaller, but they are no less elaborate.

It is common for a newly married couple to live with the groom's parents. Most young couples in Palestine cannot afford to live on their own due to the country's economic devastation. This also allows Palestinian women to work outside the home without being solely responsible for childcare and household chores.