Sikh Punjabi wedding rituals are vibrant, elaborate and ritualistic and the same applies to pre wedding events. A few days ago I shared the highlights video from Jarnails Maiyan ceremony and today I would love to share his next Jago Ceremony. This is another pre wedding event I love to film. For those who don’t know the Jago ceremony is a fast paced and energetic event and often the most well liked as the Jago Ceremony further heightens the excitement of the wedding festivities. The Jago ceremony usually happens the night before a Punjabi wedding and is a chance for friends and family to rejoice and dance together in celebration. A pot (gaggar) is decorated with candles and carried on the head whilst dancing and singing jago songs. The word jago means “Wake up” and gets everyone in the mood for whats to come. The Jago Ceremony starts with the aunt colourfully dressed in a traditional Punjabi Ghaghara and with her dancing with the pot on her head. The pot is then passed around the rest of the family and friends where they take their turn in the Jago alongside everyone else.

Anyway, here’s two videos from the night!! Big thank you once again to Jarnail and his family for making me feel so welcome and for the nice bottle of Indian Whisky you gave me on the night!! Very nice!!

Jago Ceremony Dancing Video (original audio) – Youtube

Jago Ceremony Highlights Video – Youtube

A few thoughts from Jarnail

1)  Tell us about your Jago Ceremony
Traditionally the Jago ceremony is started by the mothers side of the famiy to signal the start of the wedding celebrations. They made a very loud entrance, dressed in colourful traditional outfits and set the tone for a great party. The edgbaston reservoir provided a lovely setting for the night and was topped off brilliantly by great live entertainment, good food and drink and a very merry crowd!

2) What did you like best about your Jago Ceremony?
I think the Jago night was the day I could really let go and enjoy myself. There were no ceremonies/rituals I had to worry about which meant I could concentrate on meeting and greeting my guests, alot of dancing and a enjoying a good few drinks!