For example, our ancestors virginity did not give much importance. No shame in premarital relationships they have not seen, moreover, there was a so-called trial marriage. The bride and groom could spend some time together, to understand whether they are suitable to each other. Even the girl with the baby could be a bride, in some ways even more desirable than childless, in which case it is known - a woman can give birth. And these traditions could not get rid of, even in times of Christianity.
However, the wedding night is still considered something special and is accompanied by certain rituals. Young covered in a separate room, but not left in peace. Throughout the night went around various relatives and urged on the groom, gave advice, jokes ... And of course, that in such circumstances, it is no wonder the groom and blunder. In that case, he was given two more attempts. If the third time the young husband could not cope, he found a temporary replacement: an older relative, or godfather of the guest of honor.
There are even more amazing tradition.
In Europe in the Middle Ages there has been a right of first wedding night. The bride spent her not with the legitimate spouse, and with the suzerain. Scientists give different possible causes of such a custom. In particular, it was thought that virginity is connected with deprivation of certain danger that dates back to the custom to give her virginity deities. And more experienced overlord guarded so his subjects. Perhaps infancy custom that way, but over time it degenerated into satisfaction with own lust. So from unattractive brides overlord might well refuse, and with beautiful girls is usually carried out strictly.
In some tribes in Africa groom on their wedding night the bride knocked two front teeth. And in some countries (the Philippines or Mexico) on their wedding night, and even a few nights, the couple should abstain from sex, as at the wedding feast drink alcohol. In other countries, by the way, including in Russia, on the contrary, the newlyweds were forbidden to take intoxicating drinks.
And in the other tribes of the same African girls lose virginity before the start of menstruation, and to do it was absolutely a stranger. Most often, any traveler passing through the village. If in the first month she remained a virgin, it was considered a disgrace, and it could well remain a spinster.
In Samoa, the wedding night is held in the bride's home, surrounded by family members sleeping. And it must pass in silence, so that nobody woke up. Otherwise passionate groom beat. Men, by the way, with this in mind, before a date smeared with oil: and break more easily and beatings transfer.
Interesting custom in the tribe Bakhta, Central Africa. There instead of sex couple engaged in a very different matter: they enter the fray. And beat until dawn, and then diverge parent homes, some sleep. After all, the next night they were again waiting for the fight. And so long as young people do not feel that they have exhausted all the rage at each other for years to come. Sometimes these fights were delayed for a week. And it is extremely rare, but still occurred fatal.
And the strangest customs associated with the wedding and the wedding night, in Nayarit, a tribe in one of the states of India. That is, the wedding itself and the wedding night (or rather three nights) are not much different from the weddings of other local tribes. But among all the peoples wedding - is the beginning of their life together. In the same tribe on the fourth day the husband leaves his wife and then each of them live their own lives, with whom he wants and how he wants. And change lovers as it is convenient. And for the children born to women meets once a lover, as long as its not shift.
That's how diverse are such an important event in the life in different countries and in different nations.