| Summary: | <p>The Ukrainian wedding of the 19th and early 20th
centuries is an integral and probably the most important
rite of passage in Ukrainian society. The wedding ceremonies
provide an orderly framework which couples followed when
they decided to marry. Moreover, they allow for the formation
of a new family unit, which in turn allows for the continuity
of life. The Ukrainian wedding, however, is not simply
a functional event, for the wedding ceremonies provide
a wealth of information about the past and contemporary
societies that inhabited the territory known as Ukraine.</p>
<p>This thesis provides a composite description of the
19th and early 20th century Ukrainian wedding, based on
Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish sources published during
this period. Chapter One is an introduction wherein the
objectives of this thesis and the importance of the 19th
and early 20th century wedding are explained. An outline
of the thesis is also provided. Chapter Two examines
the long and sporadic history of Ukrainian wedding research.
In Chapter Three the first stage of the wedding, the preliminary
pre-wedding ceremonies, is described. This period
is made up of events that provide an opportunity for the
groom's family to initiate the marriage proposal, for
the bride's family to consider it, and lastly, for the
community to approve the union. Chapter Four provides
an account of events that are both functional and symbolic
in nature. Chapter Five is a description of the wedding
day, when the couple's union is sanctified by the Church
and the community, and when the marriage is consummated.
And, finally, Chapter Six examines the post-wedding phase,
during which the community celebrates the consummation
of the marriage. Chapter Seven will review the significance
of the wedding ceremonies and restate the themes that
reoccur throughout the wedding. In addition to the main
text of this thesis, Appendix A discusses the presence
of Ukrainian wedding traits in 13 of the 21 provinces
inhabited by Ukrainians during the 19th and early 20th
centuries.</p>
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