Beredg

While Shelil is typically an adult female performance dance in the public, Beredg can be considered as the corresponding dance for adult males, both performed in festive occasion. Both Beredg and Shelil may be used simultaneously depending upon the occasion and duration. In a typical Blin weeding especially in the countryside, a wedding ceremony constitutes the paramount occasion in which Beredg and Shelil can be jointly performed in adjacent locations for men and women. The Beredg dancing men are welcomed by females singing good wishing songs; often the younger, unmarried women await a couple of kilometers some kilometers away from the bridegroom’s family home, while married women dance the Shelil in a newly constructed home-sake (Eblura or Itarora). In the meantime, the males play the Beredg and other adult women accept them ululating and clapping their hands. Adult men, who have not accompanied the bringing of the bride from her home village, sit down as the former perform Beredg, the young girls sing sisiit type play, and the adult women play the Shellil. The reason that the rest of the wedding guests sit down and watch the playing parties is a symbol for stability and tranquility for the newly wed couple. Children and other youngsters of course are free from any obligation or duties during such a public festivity. But they have also a the right to participate in the ceremony according to their own conditions, which means that young children are expected to deliver any gifts for the wedding ceremony even if they may be offered free meals.