Lavish Shammar wedding draws guests from Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia

RABIA — One of the largest weddings seen in Rabia, a subdistrict of Tal Afar in Nineveh governorate, brought together guests from across Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria to celebrate the marriage of Ali Zidan Khalaf, son of the mukhtar of Al-Awainat village.

The Shammar, one of the Arab world’s largest tribes with roots stretching from Oman to northern Iraq, are known for weddings steeped in Bedouin heritage. Traditional dances such as the dahha and samri, once linked to wartime traditions of the Banu Bakr and Shayban tribes, now serve as displays of pride and joy for the groom.

Hospitality was central to the event. Twelve camels and one and a half tons of meat were prepared for a feast spread across 1,000 tables. “My feelings today cannot be described. The joy is doubled among my family and people in this generous gathering. Welcome to all our dear guests,” said groom Ali Zidan Khalaf.

His father, mukhtar Zidan Khalaf Maiouf, said visitors had arrived from as far as Saudi Arabia, Tikrit, southern Iraq, and Syria. “We thank them for the hardship of travel and are honored to receive them,” he said.

Guests described the occasion as a reflection of both family bonds and tribal solidarity. “We congratulate the marriage of the sons of our cousin Zidan Khalaf in Al-Awainat village. The turnout today is very large, and we ask God to bless the groom with happiness in his married life,” said attendee Falah Hamad al-Kanoush.

“I came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to accept the invitation of our cousin Zidan Khalaf for the wedding of his sons, and God willing, joy will continue for them,” added Hassan Ali.

The cooking effort was no less extraordinary. “We cooked 1,500 kilograms of meat, 750 kilograms of rice, and 500 kilograms of bulgur today at the home of the village mukhtar, Zidan Khalaf Maiouf. This is the largest banquet we have ever prepared in Rabia,” said cook Mahmoud Hassan.