The musical symbol and sign of the bride’s transition to her new status, that of wife, is the performance of zhar-zhar (derived from zhar – friend, spouse). These are choral songs divided into male and female zhar-zhar. The male chant contains advice and exhortations to the bride, while the female chant contains motifs of farewell, kinship, stepfather’s house, freedom, etc.
The singing of the female zhar-zhar, in which the bride, her friends and relatives participate, is accompanied by a series of symbolic acts (braiding, putting on a saukele, etc.). The zhar-zhar is the starting point of the wedding ceremony at the bride’s house, after which she sets off for the groom’s house
