Music in women's religious wedding ceremonies in Azerbaijan: A case study

Abstract

In Azerbaijan, it has recently been observed that religious marriage ceremonies organized by women have begun to become widespread within the traditional structure of wedding practices. However, academic studies examining the role and functions of music in these religious marriage ceremonies remain quite limited. The aim of this study is to examine the forms of musical use and the ritual functions of music in religious marriage ceremonies organized by women in Azerbaijan. The research was conducted using a case study design. The data of the study consist of interviews conducted with Güler Hasanova, who organizes religious marriage ceremonies and lives in the Ahmedli district of Baku, as well as musical examples performed during these ceremonies. The findings indicate that music constitutes an important component of the ritual in women's religious marriage ceremonies. It was observed that religious musical forms such as hymns, qasidas, and dhikr-based compositions are commonly performed in these ceremonies and that these musical practices strengthen the spiritual atmosphere of the ritual. The examined musical examples revealed that qasidas dedicated to sacred figures such as the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, and Fatima Zahra are particularly prominent. In addition, it was found that modern instruments are sometimes used alongside the traditional repertoire of religious music. The results of the study demonstrate that religious marriage ceremonies organized by women in Azerbaijan not only reinforce the spiritual dimension of the ritual through music but also increase the visibility of women’s roles in religious and cultural practices. This study contributes to the literature by presenting the contemporary transformation of religious ceremonial music in Azerbaijan.