As the political situation of the Palestinians has changed, so too have the customs and practices of Palestinians in the Diaspora. Using Eric Hobsbawm’s concept of “invented tradition” as a point of departure, this article explores the origins, functions, and implications of some of the elements—including dance, song, and costume—of Palestinian-American wedding celebrations in the New York/New Jersey/ Pennsylvania area, which since the first intifada have evolved into occasions for celebrating nationalist as well as communal identity.

RANDA SERHAN is a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at Columbia University.