Wedding Traditions : Introduction - When Africa Marries


 African Traditions 




African wedding traditions vary widely across the continent and can be influenced by religion, culture, and regional customs. Some common elements of African weddings include traditional dress, music, dancing, and the exchange of gifts. Some African communities also practice rituals such as shaving the groom's head or paying dowry. 

African wedding ceremonies are often multi-day events that bring together families and communities to celebrate the union of the couple. In some cases, African weddings can also involve traditional rituals to symbolize the couple's transition into adulthood and the start of their new life together.

For example, in some parts of West Africa, the engagement ceremony is called a "knocking ceremony." During this ritual, the groom's family visits the bride's family to officially ask for her hand in marriage. The groom is usually accompanied by family and friends, who bring gifts such as food, drinks, and money to present to the bride's family. After the gifts are accepted, both families share a meal together and engage in traditional music and dancing.

In some cases, the bride's family may also make a counter-offer, which the groom's family can either accept or reject. If both parties agree, the engagement ceremony is considered a success and the couple is officially engaged. In other African communities, the engagement ceremony may involve a traditional exchange of rings or the payment of a symbolic "bride price."
It's important to note that these traditions can vary greatly depending on the specific community and country.

The blog will widely cover African cultures and traditions regarding the wedding industry so that all the brides-to-be to an African man will be able to understand and be prepared for that bi-cultural wedding to happen.
(When I say African wedding is from North to south of the entire continent, including islands, no one will be left out ! ) 

The attire 

African wedding attire is known for its vibrant colors and traditional designs. The bride and groom typically wear traditional clothing that represents their cultural heritage.

For the bride, this could mean a colorful, hand-embroidered dress or a more modern Western-style gown, combined with traditional jewelry, head wraps, and other accessories. The groom may wear a traditional tunic or suit, often in coordinating colors with the bride's attire.

In some African cultures, the bride's family may also have specific requirements for the groom's attire, such as a particular hat or piece of jewelry.
In all cases, African wedding attire is a symbol of the couple's cultural identity and a celebration of their heritage. The attire is chosen to showcase the couple's unique style, while also paying homage to their ancestral roots.

The dowry 

you might have heard of the dowry. Some of you may not accept it nor wanting to have it at your wedding, but if you consider marrying an African (even from the diaspora) this topic will come on the table, no matter you like it or not. It is and stands with the traditions and culture. 
And again, I will repeat this sentence over and over again all over my blog : nobody can delete, nor suppress, nor diminish another person's culture and traditions. If your spouse-to-be has a culture, HEAR HIM/HER before judging. I always say , if you love someone, love it to the fullest and not for certain aspects. It's either all of it or nothing. Not in between. 

That being said, 
The dowry is a practice of paying a dowry, also known as "bride price," is common in some African cultures. In this tradition, the groom's family pays a sum of money or gives gifts to the bride's family as a symbol of their commitment to the marriage and their ability to support the bride.

The amount of the dowry can vary widely depending on the couple's culture, social status, and financial situation. In some cases, the dowry may be a small sum of money, while in others it can be quite substantial. 

In some African cultures, the dowry is seen as a way to ensure that the bride's family is financially secure, while in others it is viewed as a form of compensation for the loss of the bride to the groom's family.

It's important to note that the practice of paying a dowry has come under scrutiny in recent years, as it can perpetuate gender inequality and create financial hardship for families who cannot afford the required sum. Some African countries have laws in place to regulate the practice of paying a dowry, while others have banned the tradition altogether.



Follow the next articles about how to marry when your spouse-to-be is from an African country.


                            Photo by Tope. A Asokere on Unsplash





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