Zoya says that in the past weddings lasted longer, from a week up to a couple of weeks. People performed various rites and used that time to get to know each other better. Both the bride and the groom usually did not know each other before the wedding. During weddings, candies were scattered everywhere on the ground, which was a way of making offerings to local spirits. We, children, competed with each other to collect them. Other rites included the bowing of the bride her in-laws and the division of her hair into two braids to reflect her marital status.