What is Aroos?

Aroos is the Somali word for wedding or wedding celebration. It is one of the most anticipated and cherished events in Somali culture, bringing together families, friends, and entire communities to celebrate the union of two people.

A traditional Somali aroos can span multiple days. The celebrations typically include the nikah ceremony (Islamic marriage contract), the shaash saar (a bridal event where the bride is adorned and welcomed by the groom's family), communal feasting, and an evening of music, poetry, and dancing. The aroos is a deeply communal affair, and invitations often extend to the wider community.

In the Somali diaspora, the aroos has adapted to local contexts while preserving its cultural core. In London, Minneapolis, Toronto, and Stockholm, Somali weddings are known for their grandeur, with elaborate decorations, traditional Somali clothing (dirac, garbasaar, and macawiis), and a mix of Somali and Western wedding traditions. The bride often changes outfits multiple times throughout the celebration.

The aroos is not just a party. It is a public declaration of the marriage, a bringing together of two families, and a community investment in the success of the new union. In Somali culture, a well-attended aroos is a sign of strong family ties and community standing.

Planning a Somali aroos requires coordination between both families on the guest list, venue, catering (often including hilib, bariis, sambusa, and other Somali dishes), and the order of events. In the diaspora, couples often balance Somali traditions with the expectations of their local context.

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