Pakistani wedding glossary
Maiyon
مایوںMaiyon A pre-wedding seclusion ritual where the bride is bathed in turmeric paste and stays at home (without leaving) until the wedding, traditionally to brighten her skin.
Maiyon is one of the older Pakistani wedding traditions and is increasingly rare in urban modern weddings. The bride wears yellow, doesn't leave the house, and is rubbed with a turmeric-and-besan paste (often mixed with rosewater and sandalwood) said to brighten her skin and protect her in the days before the wedding. Some families still observe a token version — a single "maiyon ceremony" rather than the full multi-day seclusion.
Also known as: mayoon