From shared warmth to appearances: How have the meaning of joy and celebration changed?
last updated: 4 h ago
Amman – In the past, a celebration would begin days, and sometimes weeks, before the actual occasion. Families would gather, while relatives and neighbors worked together to prepare, with everyone knowing their role in preparing food and welcoming guests. Today, however, an occasion may begin with a long list of details, from choosing the venue and decorations to photography and party favors, and may extend to social media, which has become part of the scene.اضافة اعلان
Between these two pictures, the way celebrations are held in Jordanian society has changed not only in terms of appearance and cost, but also in the nature of participation, relationships and expectations surrounding the occasion. So, have only the rituals of celebration changed, or has the meaning of celebration in our lives changed as well?
Preparing for the occasion was a collective responsibility
Fawziya, 70, recalls how celebrations were held in homes in the past, at a time when dedicated wedding halls and party venues did not exist as they do today. Weddings would often last for more than one day, including the evening gathering, henna ceremony and wedding day, with extensive participation from relatives and neighbors.
She explains that preparing for the occasion was a collective responsibility. Family members, relatives and neighbors would cooperate in the preparations and share the costs, while the family would host guests throughout the celebration. A tradition known as “al-qira” was also practiced, in which food was prepared and relatives, neighbors and even strangers were invited to share lunch. If a guest came from outside the area, they would stay overnight with the host family and join them in the celebrations the following day.
Fawziya points out that preparing food was an essential part of the occasion. Families would slaughter livestock according to their means and prepare lunch for guests. Celebrations were sometimes held at a neighbor’s home if the host family’s house could not accommodate everyone, or in traditional tents set up for the occasion.
As for costs, she says celebrations were not as expensive as they are today, and “nuqut” cash gifts given at weddings was modest. Everyone contributed according to their means, including family members, relatives and neighbors, reflecting the spirit of participation that accompanied the occasion.
She recalls that people’s joy was different because celebrations lasted longer and people spent more time together, whereas today’s occasions are shorter. “People come, attend and leave,” she says.
She also notes that bridal preparations were simpler. The groom would buy clothes for his sisters and aunts as an expression of his happiness. Women would sing and perform traditional chants known as “al-tarawid,” while some customs, such as the bride’s henna ceremony, have survived to this day.
Fawziya adds that many of the details found at today’s celebrations were not known in the past, such as party favors for occasions and holidays. At the same time, there were celebrations associated with other events, such as children’s circumcision ceremonies.
While celebrations in the past relied heavily on gathering and collective participation, some aspects of today’s celebrations have taken on different characteristics, as reflected in Rasha’s experience.
Henna between simplicity and today’s details
Rasha, 31, recalls the details of the henna celebration she held, in which she tried to combine simplicity with some of the elements that have become common at modern celebrations. She wanted the occasion to include only the people she loved, avoiding an excessive number of guests, but found herself facing details that have become an expected part of modern henna celebrations.
Among these were party favors, which she did not consider essential to the occasion but felt had become expected at such celebrations. She explains that the focus is no longer limited to gathering and celebrating; the appearance and details of the occasion have also become important, particularly in the photographs that remain from the night.
Rasha notes that social media has become a source of ideas for celebrations, from decorations to the way details are arranged. People can now view different examples and choose what suits them. Nevertheless, she tried to set limits on her spending and choose options that matched her financial means without going overboard.
For her, the henna celebration remains an occasion that brings people together to celebrate, but it is now surrounded by new details that have become part of the image the hosts want their occasion to present.
A wedding to remember, whatever the details
Abdul Rahman, 35, remembers his wedding as an occasion he wanted to make big and unforgettable, with the details he had imagined for the night. Other people’s opinions were not the main factor behind his choices; rather, he wanted to enjoy the occasion and choose what he felt was appropriate for it.
However, his desire for a large wedding was reflected in the costs. Expenses did not stop at booking the venue but included additional details, from fireworks, drums and special effects to a musical band and other additions. Each extra feature brought another cost, increasing the overall price of the celebration.
Jihad points out that some services that can be obtained outside wedding venues at a lower cost become more expensive when added to a celebration as part of the venue’s services, causing the budget to exceed what he had initially expected.
Nevertheless, the higher cost did not change his view of the occasion. For him, the goal was to live through a night he would enjoy and remember later, with the celebration reflecting what he wanted rather than simply responding to what others considered appropriate.
Jihad believes celebrations today allow more room for details and appearances, but what ultimately remains for him is the feeling he experienced that night and the memory he took away from it.
When the form of celebration changes, so do its meanings
Sociologist Dr. Mohammad Al-Jreibea says the changes Jordanian society has experienced in recent years have affected the form of social occasions and the way they are celebrated. He explains that celebrations in the past relied more heavily on the extended family, large families and tribes, along with the sense of togetherness and collective participation in preparation and execution.
He notes that understanding the transformation in the form of celebrations cannot be separated from the social and economic changes that have taken place in society, alongside other factors, most notably technology and social media, which have come to play a central role in how occasions are organized and presented to others.
Al-Jreibea explains that a social occasion is no longer limited to expressing joy and affection. In some cases, it has also become a way of displaying social status and the image individuals want to project before society. Photographs, videos and professional filming have become part of the celebration, and attention may be focused as much on how the occasion is presented on social media as on the occasion itself.
He says this transformation has also affected decision-making. Whereas celebrations were once organized collectively, with family members participating in planning, preparation and execution, decisions have become more individual today. Specialized companies have also emerged to design celebrations according to the preferences of their hosts, whether based on heritage and popular traditions or a modern style.
Comparisons and expectations among people
He points out that social media has also contributed to creating a culture of comparison and expectations. People see different examples of celebrations held by their relatives, friends and acquaintances, which may influence them or make them feel compelled to keep up. This can sometimes turn celebrations into spaces for competition over details, attendance and appearance.
At the same time, Al-Jreibea says the rising cost of celebrations has become an economic burden for some families, particularly those unable to afford such expenses. Yet they may find themselves under social pressure to keep up with prevailing trends, which can sometimes lead to additional problems and stress.
He emphasizes that preserving some traditional social customs does not mean rejecting progress. Rather, it means preserving the values those customs once embodied, such as affection, solidarity and social support. He cites “nuqut” at weddings as an example, a tradition that represented a form of social solidarity through which relatives and friends helped cover part of the costs of marriage.
Al-Jreibea concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving the value of genuine joy, away from pretension and the constant pursuit of creating an ideal image on social media. Social status, he says, is not measured by what appears on social media platforms, but by the respect and affection a person receives within their social circle.
Resource: Al-Ghad.
Between these two pictures, the way celebrations are held in Jordanian society has changed not only in terms of appearance and cost, but also in the nature of participation, relationships and expectations surrounding the occasion. So, have only the rituals of celebration changed, or has the meaning of celebration in our lives changed as well?
Preparing for the occasion was a collective responsibility
Fawziya, 70, recalls how celebrations were held in homes in the past, at a time when dedicated wedding halls and party venues did not exist as they do today. Weddings would often last for more than one day, including the evening gathering, henna ceremony and wedding day, with extensive participation from relatives and neighbors.
She explains that preparing for the occasion was a collective responsibility. Family members, relatives and neighbors would cooperate in the preparations and share the costs, while the family would host guests throughout the celebration. A tradition known as “al-qira” was also practiced, in which food was prepared and relatives, neighbors and even strangers were invited to share lunch. If a guest came from outside the area, they would stay overnight with the host family and join them in the celebrations the following day.
Fawziya points out that preparing food was an essential part of the occasion. Families would slaughter livestock according to their means and prepare lunch for guests. Celebrations were sometimes held at a neighbor’s home if the host family’s house could not accommodate everyone, or in traditional tents set up for the occasion.
As for costs, she says celebrations were not as expensive as they are today, and “nuqut” cash gifts given at weddings was modest. Everyone contributed according to their means, including family members, relatives and neighbors, reflecting the spirit of participation that accompanied the occasion.
She recalls that people’s joy was different because celebrations lasted longer and people spent more time together, whereas today’s occasions are shorter. “People come, attend and leave,” she says.
She also notes that bridal preparations were simpler. The groom would buy clothes for his sisters and aunts as an expression of his happiness. Women would sing and perform traditional chants known as “al-tarawid,” while some customs, such as the bride’s henna ceremony, have survived to this day.
Fawziya adds that many of the details found at today’s celebrations were not known in the past, such as party favors for occasions and holidays. At the same time, there were celebrations associated with other events, such as children’s circumcision ceremonies.
While celebrations in the past relied heavily on gathering and collective participation, some aspects of today’s celebrations have taken on different characteristics, as reflected in Rasha’s experience.
Henna between simplicity and today’s details
Rasha, 31, recalls the details of the henna celebration she held, in which she tried to combine simplicity with some of the elements that have become common at modern celebrations. She wanted the occasion to include only the people she loved, avoiding an excessive number of guests, but found herself facing details that have become an expected part of modern henna celebrations.
Among these were party favors, which she did not consider essential to the occasion but felt had become expected at such celebrations. She explains that the focus is no longer limited to gathering and celebrating; the appearance and details of the occasion have also become important, particularly in the photographs that remain from the night.
Rasha notes that social media has become a source of ideas for celebrations, from decorations to the way details are arranged. People can now view different examples and choose what suits them. Nevertheless, she tried to set limits on her spending and choose options that matched her financial means without going overboard.
For her, the henna celebration remains an occasion that brings people together to celebrate, but it is now surrounded by new details that have become part of the image the hosts want their occasion to present.
A wedding to remember, whatever the details
Abdul Rahman, 35, remembers his wedding as an occasion he wanted to make big and unforgettable, with the details he had imagined for the night. Other people’s opinions were not the main factor behind his choices; rather, he wanted to enjoy the occasion and choose what he felt was appropriate for it.
However, his desire for a large wedding was reflected in the costs. Expenses did not stop at booking the venue but included additional details, from fireworks, drums and special effects to a musical band and other additions. Each extra feature brought another cost, increasing the overall price of the celebration.
Jihad points out that some services that can be obtained outside wedding venues at a lower cost become more expensive when added to a celebration as part of the venue’s services, causing the budget to exceed what he had initially expected.
Nevertheless, the higher cost did not change his view of the occasion. For him, the goal was to live through a night he would enjoy and remember later, with the celebration reflecting what he wanted rather than simply responding to what others considered appropriate.
Jihad believes celebrations today allow more room for details and appearances, but what ultimately remains for him is the feeling he experienced that night and the memory he took away from it.
When the form of celebration changes, so do its meanings
Sociologist Dr. Mohammad Al-Jreibea says the changes Jordanian society has experienced in recent years have affected the form of social occasions and the way they are celebrated. He explains that celebrations in the past relied more heavily on the extended family, large families and tribes, along with the sense of togetherness and collective participation in preparation and execution.
He notes that understanding the transformation in the form of celebrations cannot be separated from the social and economic changes that have taken place in society, alongside other factors, most notably technology and social media, which have come to play a central role in how occasions are organized and presented to others.
Al-Jreibea explains that a social occasion is no longer limited to expressing joy and affection. In some cases, it has also become a way of displaying social status and the image individuals want to project before society. Photographs, videos and professional filming have become part of the celebration, and attention may be focused as much on how the occasion is presented on social media as on the occasion itself.
He says this transformation has also affected decision-making. Whereas celebrations were once organized collectively, with family members participating in planning, preparation and execution, decisions have become more individual today. Specialized companies have also emerged to design celebrations according to the preferences of their hosts, whether based on heritage and popular traditions or a modern style.
Comparisons and expectations among people
He points out that social media has also contributed to creating a culture of comparison and expectations. People see different examples of celebrations held by their relatives, friends and acquaintances, which may influence them or make them feel compelled to keep up. This can sometimes turn celebrations into spaces for competition over details, attendance and appearance.
At the same time, Al-Jreibea says the rising cost of celebrations has become an economic burden for some families, particularly those unable to afford such expenses. Yet they may find themselves under social pressure to keep up with prevailing trends, which can sometimes lead to additional problems and stress.
He emphasizes that preserving some traditional social customs does not mean rejecting progress. Rather, it means preserving the values those customs once embodied, such as affection, solidarity and social support. He cites “nuqut” at weddings as an example, a tradition that represented a form of social solidarity through which relatives and friends helped cover part of the costs of marriage.
Al-Jreibea concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving the value of genuine joy, away from pretension and the constant pursuit of creating an ideal image on social media. Social status, he says, is not measured by what appears on social media platforms, but by the respect and affection a person receives within their social circle.
Resource: Al-Ghad.