Zaffa

{{Short description|Egyptian wedding march}}

{{Life in Egypt}}

In Arab culture,{{Citation|url=https://julianribinikweddings.com/egyptian-wedding/|title=Egyptian Wedding Guide|date=3 November 2021 |access-date=27 January 2023}} the zaffa ({{langx|arz|زفـّـة}} / ALA-LC: zaffah), or wedding march, is a musical procession of bendir drums, bagpipes, horns, belly dancers and men carrying flaming swords. This is an ancient Egyptian tradition that predates Islam. When the procession reaches its destination, there is usually a party, more loud noises, and then dinner.{{Citation|url=http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/weddings.htm|title=Egypt: Egyptian Weddings, A Feature Tour Egypt Story|access-date=16 January 2023|author=Dr. Maged El-Bialy}}

The Zaffa is also well-documented in many Egyptian movies ever since their start from more than a hundred years ago, which massively helped spread the ancient Egyptian tradition to the whole region.{{citation|url=https://kaleela.com/en/arab-culture-the-zaffa-in-arabic-wedding-traditions|title=The Zaffa|website=Kaleela|access-date=27 January 2023|quote=Most believe it’s an ancient Egyptian tradition that predates Islam. It’s also been very well documented in Egyptian movies since their beginning over 100 years ago.}} Nowadays, the Zaffah is commonly held as a traditional and celebratory wedding procession in cultures throughout the Arab world, including the Levant such as in Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, whereby it symbolizes the start of the wedding festivities. It is a lively and vibrant event that involves music, dancing, and cultural rituals.