Ancient and Modern Wedding Rituals among the Day’s Topics at Museum of Anthropology

The traditions and rituals associated with marriage and courtship across cultures will be explored at the next “Saturdays at the Museum” activity at Utah State University. Presented by USU’s Museum of Anthropology, activities are offered Saturday, June 9.
           
Visitors can learn about wedding rituals in modern and ancient times, as well as courtship practices throughout the world. Information about the traditions, including the meaning behind many of them, will be provided throughout the day.
           
Learn about the symbolism of the wedding dress, what colors are traditionally used for weddings, the language of flowers and the purpose of engagement rings.
           
To accompany its wedding theme, the museum will also offer henna tattoos and other wedding activities free of charge to the public.
           
“Weddings are an important turning point in many cultures, and we wanted to show visitors how wedding traditions have changed over time,” said Aurora Durfee, a Saturdays series program worker. “We also wanted to illustrate the incredibly diverse ways that traditions have celebrated this important event.”
           
In addition to the Saturday activity series, community members and USU students alike can visit the museum during its operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
           
Funding for the Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online (www.imls.gov).
           
The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.
           
For more information about museum events, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website (anthromuseum.usu.edu).
           
The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.