An ancient nation - All the colours of Assyria 💙❤️🤍 Over the weekend we celebrated the incredible wedding of Ninos & Nahreen and while I have been to many weddings - This stood far above the rest. I don’t know if it’s something that comes with age and a deeper knowledge of understanding your roots - But at many points I found myself looking around in complete awe of the spectacle. A sea of people adorned with the most beautiful traditional outfits, there to celebrate the love and coming together of two people and families. Our clothes - The colours, the feathers, the twinkle in every movement. Seeing ladies tying a ‘Pusheya’ - Just as our ancestors would have done in the Tyari villages sprawled across the mountains of Hakkari. The music and dances - The same beats that sounded as our forefathers celebrated victories and joyous events to, countless generations ago. Yet they continue to play on for the ones that have come, and will come later. The traditions - Our culture is drenched in tradition. From showering our groom while ladies stand at the door and sing ‘Lilyaneh’ to stealing an object from the brides house as they stand at the door and negotiate a dowry. We as a people have always had the odds stacked against us - but yet here we are. Still maintaining and preserving the sacred practices of the ones who came long before. Each individual practice is part of celebrating the couple and adds to the undeniable presence of love and joy that fills the room at our weddings. I say all this to say, I am so incredibly proud to have come from a culture so rich in history and tradition. A people that where many others would have succumbed to becoming part of the melting pot - Stood in their identity and held onto it no matter where they landed across the globe. I can say with certainty that this last weekend unlocked a whole new level of appreciation for my people and our story. I am - We are, Assyrian.