A bonnet instead of a bouquet: Nenets traditions at the wedding of a couple from the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area
Representatives
of small-numbered peoples of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area held a wedding
according to ancient Nenets customs at the RUSSIA EXPO. The newlyweds' names
are Alexander Hudi and Ilona Okotetto. They met a year ago.
Alexander
is the head of the military-patriotic club "Flame", and Ilona works
in the district administration. They decided to tie the knot at the most
grandiose exposition of our country.
The guests
saw the ritual of bride preparation, after which the girl's relatives performed
the ritual of fumigation and braided her hair - traditional for the status of a
wife.
Visitors
were shown a real rite of bride-purchase with attempts of the groom to get into
the tent. A shaman gave instructions to the bride. After the marriage
registration, the bride threw her friends a bonnet (kapor) - a national
headdress - instead of a bouquet.
"Today I want to say to the whole region: to the head of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, to all the people living in your beautiful region - we give a low bow because you create all conditions for making and preservation of families, you protect national traditions and rituals", - said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"».
In total, more than 40 weddings will be held at the International RUSSIA EXPO. Previously, employees of the Vostochny Cosmodrome and natives of the Tuva Republic got married here.
The concept for the branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in the Kaliningrad region has been developed as part of the preparations for the 80th anniversary of the region.
On 19 March, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the presentation of project proposals for the space's branches in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
The Open Dialogue "The Future of the World. A New Platform for Global Growth" will be held at the National Centre RUSSIA from 27 to 29 April 2026.
