For the Miaos of China, the Tamils of South India, or the Berbers of Morocco, wedding ceremonies often last for several days, and involve the whole community in elaborate preparation, rites, and celebrations. The bride and groom wear sumptuous wedding garments, accessories, and decorations, made of the rarest and most precious materials, each of which has a powerful symbolic value. Small Flowery Miao women from China spend years embroidering their bridal robes; the Peulh Bororos of Niger paint their faces with ochre; the Indonesian Minangkabaus adorn themselves with centuries-old family heirlooms of pure gold; the Tibetans feature elaborate hairstyles trimmed in turquoise and coral. These rituals are a fundamental rite of passage and vital part of community life: a chance to strengthen ties with other villages, to plan new alliances, and, above all, to renew the traditions that make up a unique cultural heritage. Weddings: Ethnic Symbols, Costume and Rituals is a glorious visual celebration of the symbolism of marriage the world over. The authors have traveled the world for two decades, visiting dozens of the world's most remote and isolated ethnic groups, attending marriages held high in the Himalayas and under acacias in the Sahara. Chapter by chapter, the text and stunning photographs explore the traditional rituals and customs that accompany wedding ceremonies across the world - the ties that bind communities, many of which are now on the brink of losing their individuality forever.