Codes of Conduct

The “buqsha” (bundle), was an early form of dowry gifting in Islamic culture and the Middle East. In Kuwait, it used to be part of the bride’s dowry and mostly consisted of Indian fabrics before the discovery of oil. The bundle’s form is made from its content, the Indian fabric unfolds to the outside and this emblematizes its functionality and the importance of craft. The repetitive script on the tray includes 4 different terminologies that are often used in pre-wedding rituals: dazza, yalwah, jehaz and buqsha. Dazza is the ritual of sending the dowry to the bride, yalwah is the henna ritual, jehaz is the bridal consumption and use of dowry money and buqsha is the bundle, the older form of dowry. The tray is an indication of hospitality as an important element to these rituals. The Codes of Conduct piece aims to integrate different histories of hospitality practices in relation to dowry gifting in Kuwait.