Marriage in popular song: The stages of its realization and its social effects

Abstract

Folk songs are one of the most important types of popular literature in general, particularly so in Algerian. The study of the folk songs in Algeria has not been tackled adequately by researchers, despite the fact that it deals with very important social issues in the life of the individual as well as the family and society at large. This article builds on this importance and elaborates through dealing with a set of steps which constitute a framework of action in the life of Algerian society in general, and in especially the region of Eastern Algeria:

1. The psychological, social and material preparation for the marriage ceremony.
2. The search for the bride individually and with the help of family.
3. The dowry and what relates to it in religion and customs.
4. Affiance and its social requirements.
5. The marriage ceremony, regarded as the last door for entry in the conjugal life.

The article makes reference to basic texts from the folk literature, especially in Eastern Algeria.