Pre-Wedding - The Hosting of the Groom’s Family

Friday evening, the evening before we arrived, Kunduz’ family hosted the groom’s family at their apartment. The groom’s family is not just immediate family.  It included 45 people.  Kunduz’ family served three lambs – and many fruits, salads, and desserts. 

And, as is tradition for a Kyrgyz wedding, they served last the meat from a young horse, under the age of 18 months, that has been fed and raised specifically for this purpose.  The horse was prepared in several ways – as a slightly spicy sausage, as meaty ribs, and rounds of the fat. 

We were served – and ate - all three the next day.  (I liked the ribs best.)  

The families spoke through the night of family traditions, and using shots of vodka (a holdover from Soviet days, I think), they toasted the young couple until 4:00 in the morning.