The personal assistant to the groom, which does nothing other than being a side kick. Look pretty and count the Salamies is his days work.
What is the story behind this character in a Pakistani Wedding? What is the significance of his role? What exactly is he suppose to do? How old he should be? How can one qualify to be a Sarbalah?
Any interesting stories someone wants to share or their family traditions about this sidekick called Sarbalah?!
Is it not the desi version of Best Man?
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/confused.gif
I am sure we would have “sarbalee” for the girls.
Afterall, we have copied a lot of things from other cultures so why not this one.
I beg to differ Khan_Sahib!
I think the tradition of Sarbalah goes on before the English/American influence in South Asia.
In Punjabi weddings, he is quiet noticeable. I don't know about Sindhi, Blochi or Pathan weddings. Does anyone know if they have a Sarbalah?
I don’t know anything about it. I am merely asking.
Sarabalh is suppose to be youngest nephew or niece or some kiddo who fits that description … I think the correct word is Sarwallah (that how it sounds in Punjabi) … but it’s not a equal version of Best Man or women who usually are best friends .. the desi Sarwallah is usually a kindergarten blood relative
Well I have done my part of Sarbalah duty
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif
(and made a lot of money)
Sarwallah is also part of a Hindu Wedding. He comes with the Groom on horseback with the baraat. This seem to be both a Hindu and Muslim custom. We have influenced each other over 800 years.
We have the equivalent in Pathan weddings.
But its not called sarbalah, cant remember the exact word though.
And its never 1 man. The weddings Ive been to in Pakistan, its usually a couple, 2 maybe 3 or even 4 friends, who go with the groom and as you said, look pretty, smile, carry the money and smile at the pretty sisters/friends of the bride
See, in our family the young brother gets to be the Sarbalah!
But as I 'look' older and am taller than my brother, I was disqualified! :-(
So my two nephew took my place. They sure did look cute with Dulha Sahib ... I would have been considered a body guard, rather than a Sidekick!
Darn! You guys are talking about "Sheh Bala"
The one who dresses exactly like the dulha, right down to sherwani and the pug, and the khussa... cute figures! :)