Tribal Wedding Ceremony

This is for the 750 Word Project 2023.

The couple stood facing each other. Roger and Mathilda were from neighboring tribes, and today was their wedding day.

Today was their joining ceremony. With their marriage, their two tribes would be bound together. They were in love, but their love was also to bring their tribes together as partners.

They stood before a low altar in a forest clearing wearing their finest clothes. The wooded land was between the two tribe's lands. The Chief of Mathilda's tribe was to marry them, as agreed to by the tribes. Friends, family, and members of both tribes attended as witness to their joining.

The drums sounded around them, the low resonance felt as much as heard, like a heartbeat throughout the clearing.

The chief began the ceremonial chant:

From different tribes, we come as one
A new beginning, a new life begun
With duty and honor, we stand together
Our love will bind us, now and forever

The gathered members of both tribes in attendance repeated the words. The drums filled the air with their deep beats. A lone flute called out like a bird, trilling in contrast to the drums.

The crowd chanted:

We are one, two tribes now as one
Our duty, our honor, never undone
Our bond will guide us, through thick and thin
Our love will conquer, and bring us to win.

The couple stared into each other's eyes, the feeling of the drumbeats matched their heartbeats, as if they were part of a singular creature, bigger than any one of them.

The Chief watched the couple as they absorbed the impact of the ceremony, feeling it wash over them. He smiled at the couple, for he knew that they were in love and devoted to this marriage. They would bring the tribes together in partnership for the future. Both tribes would be stronger from this union.

He continued the chant:

Our ancestors watch, as we come together
Their blessings upon us, forever and ever
We hold our heads high, with pride and grace
For our tribes, we will fight and face

The drummers started a rhythm, offsetting their beats so the sound circled the attendants in waves, enveloping each person as it passed them. It was a joint heartbeat that encircled everyone.

A lone bagpipe keened. It cut through the deep bass notes, wailing out. Its simple wail contrasted with the deep reverberation of the drums.

The chorus repeated:

We are one, two tribes now as one
Our duty, our honor, never undone
Our bond will guide us, through thick and thin
Our love will conquer, and bring us to win.

The chief took their hands and wrapped the ceremonial cord around their wrists, lightly tying them together. The cord, though physically weak, was symbolically strong, showing that these two willing bound themselves to each other. It also stood for the two tribes strengthening their bonds.

As we build our new life, hand in hand
Our love and loyalty, forever will stand
We'll share in each other's joys and tears
And grow together, through the years

The drums beat out their rhythm, supplying the collective heartbeat for the ceremony.

The crowd repeated their chorus:

We are one, two tribes now as one
Our duty, our honor, never undone
Our bond will guide us, through thick and thin
Our love will conquer, and bring us to win.

The chief intoned again.

Our union will shape the future ahead
New paths will form, where none have led
Our children will grow, in a world of unity
Where love and respect will be their community

Speaking now, for all in attendance to hear, he said:

"I declare you joined in marriage. May the joining of your hearts and lives be a blessing to both tribes. As you embark on this new journey together, may you always remember the honor and duty you have to one another and to your families and to your tribes."

The attendees chanted once more:

We are one, two tribes now as one
Our duty, our honor, never undone
Our bond will guide us, through thick and thin
Our love will conquer, and bring us to win.

The drums increased their pace and reached a crescendo, as the flute sang out it's crystalline notes into the night. The drums stopped, leaving the flute to sing out. It faded away until the gathering was held in silence, only the beating of their hearts providing an echo in the stillness.

Roger and Mathilda looked to their future together.