15 African Wedding Traditions and Customs
African culture is known for its vibrant colors and diversity. They have wedding tradition which signifies their traditional and cultural values. A traditional African wedding is busted with vibrant colors, dance, food, and music. Although wedding traditions are different in entire African countries. But some countries have tribes and communities which practice these wedding traditions as religion.
Some of them are very unique and interesting and commonly practiced. While others are rarely practiced in a few areas of Africa. For example, knocking on the door and engagement ceremony(bride's price) are popular practices in African countries. But dancing camel and cooking for in-laws is only practiced in Niger and Burkina Faso.
Another aspect of African weddings is they pay respect to their elders, either living or one who passed away. They remember them and try to get the blessing by performing rituals. Though African weddings have various traditions and customs, some are diverse in modern times. Here are the 15 African wedding traditions and customs you love to know about them.
- Knocking on the Door
This is the first pre-wedding tradition common in Ghana, also known as kokoo ko. In this tradition, the groom asks for the bride's hand from her parents. The groom and his family will prearrange a night together and knock on the bride's house door. If the bride's family accepts the groom's knock, they let them in. The groom and his family and friends will present gifts such as alcohol for libation, money, and kola nuts to the bride's family.
After the groom announces his proposal, both families discuss how to join the two families through marriage. When everything was finalized, They called the bride to come into the room to give her consent. The bride's father asks her three times if she accepts the proposal.
The families start the marriage preparations as soon as she approves the proposal. Different African countries have their own names for this knocking-on-the-door tradition. For example, in Nigeria, it is called Mo mi I mo e (which means know me and let me know you). While in Kenya, the Agikuyu community calls it Kumenya Mucii (which means getting to know the home).
- The Engagement Ceremony
Marriage in African traditions is essential and considered marriage a union between two families, not just two individuals. The engagement ceremony is also called a dowry (bride price) payment ceremony. This ceremony is very crucial in building the relationship between the bride and groom's families. The African wedding ceremonies and traditions will give a chance to their families to interact with each other and know more about each other.
In the past, paying the bride's price was a guarantee of premarital female virginity and sexual fidelity. Still, it is a widely practiced and vital part of African weddings. Also, it shows that the groom will be the best provider and he will take good care of the bride. It is celebrated differently in each community. For example, in Burkina Faso, the Moaga tribe calls it Poug PousSôm.
The groom's family visits the bride's family to negotiate the bride's price. The price may be in the form of money or animals, kitchen utensils, clothes, or cereals. Also, the price is paid in the form of everyday consumer goods like dolo (millet beer) and kola nuts or services (fieldwork, repairing huts, etc.).
During the engagement ceremony, the sisters and female friends of the bride can hide the groom's family shoes jokingly. It is a fun and entertaining activity they demand money in return. This activity is done to show the groom and his family that they cannot easily snatch their friend or sister from her family. After the engagement, the bride and groom are socially accepted as a couple so they can live together and be intimate. Although the religious or civil wedding is about to happen.
Different African countries have their own engagement ceremonies. In Kenya, the Agikuyu community calls this ceremony Ruracio, where the groom pays a dowry with traditional brews, honey, cows, goats, and green bananas. In modern weddings, grooms pay the bride price in cash. While in South Africa, the Zulus call the engagement ceremony Lobola.
- Kola Nuts Offerings
Kola nuts are essential elements in West African wedding traditions. Kola nuts contain caffeine and grow on big trees in tropical rainforests of West Africa. In West Africa, the kola nut symbolizes healing, respect, unity, and hospitality. Because of its healing properties, it is used for medicinal purposes in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
In the Gambia, when a man finds a woman he wants to marry, he sends kola nuts as a greeting and proposal declaration. If the woman accepts the kola nuts, he will meet her family. They decide on the dowry and set a date for breaking the kola nut (marriage). In Africa, the breaking of the kola nut signifies marriage. A traditional African wedding ceremony ends with breaking the kola nuts and then shared among elders and relatives.
Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia include kola nuts in their wedding traditions. In some West African countries, the bride and groom exchange their kola nuts after saying their vows. This act symbolizes healing, and exchanging kola nuts shows that the couple will help each other heal. Also, it is believed that this ritual of exchanging kola nuts shows their commitment to supporting each other during challenging times.
- Henna Ceremony
A Henna ceremony is a pampering day for an African bride. In East, West, and Northern Africa, various communities, this ceremony happens several days before the wedding for the bride and her female friends. In Eygpt, it is called Laylat-al-henna, held on the night before the wedding. The bride's sister, female cousins, and friends gather to celebrate this night. They mixed henna with water, and a henna artist prints beautiful designs on the bride's hands, arms, and feet.
In Ancient Egypt, it is believed that henna brings good luck to the couple. Also, it is thought that the henna ceremony will bless the couple with health and fertility and protect them from the evil eye. While in Nigeria, the henna ceremony is a crucial part of the wedding ceremony. After applying henna to the bride's hands, she is not allowed to do home chores and is treated as a princess. She is pampered by her family and friends.
The henna ceremony is also a common custom in Indian weddings. And like in Nigeria, the bride is not allowed to do housework. The Tuaregs and Hausa communities in Niger also apply henna to symbolize fertility and purity. While in Kenya, henna is applied on the bride's limbs in intricate designs.
In Swahilis, the henna ceremony is much longer than in others. The ceremony may last for two days to a week. It involves applying henna to the bride's hands and feet and other rituals like applying perfume on the bride and hairdressing. During the ceremony, elderly family members give advice to the bride. Prayers and songs are also part of the henna ceremony.
- Matching Outfits for the Bridal Party
Usually, bridesmaids wear matching outfits at the wedding, which is a common wedding tradition around the world. But African weddings will take this tradition a bit higher than others. At African weddings, close friends, sisters, and cousins will wear matching outfits. It is very famous in West African regions, and they wear ceremonial uniform cloth known as Aso Ebi (family cloth) in Yoruba.
In Yoruba, Aso means cloth, and Ebi means family. By wearing Aso Ebi, friends can show closeness to the family during wedding events. This outfit can be made from any fabric, like polyester, cotton, or others. Even the fabric is the same, but usually, women design their own style to look stunning. Also, the bride's and groom's mothers can choose to pick out their clothes for their close family, relatives, and associates. This tradition is called Sanga Willi in the Dioula language. It is spoken in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d'Ivoire.
- All hail the Queen (and king)
All brides are treated and feel like a queen on their big day. But in some parts of Ethiopia, brides will actually dress and look like a queen. Some parts of Ethiopia are predominantly Christian. A large population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The crowning of the couple is one of the essentials of an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church wedding ceremony.
The bride and groom wear these ceremonial crowns made of metals, semi-precious stones, and crimson and gold threads. These crowns are
placed on top of the African bride and groom's heads and symbolize they are the King and Queen of their new households.
The church priest blesses these crowns in the name of the Trinity. After that, they swap them three times between the couple to seal the union. In addition to crowns, the bride and groom also wear Royal garments, embroidered capes, robes, and jewelry.
- Tasting the Four Elements
Marriage is not a bed of roses, and so does this African wedding tradition proves. Tasting the four elements is a popular Yoruba( present in counties like Nigeria, Niger, and Benin) ritual conducted in African wedding ceremonies. During the ceremony, the bride and groom are asked to taste the four distinct flavors representing the different marriage stages.
This tradition involves four flavors bitter, sour, hot, and sweet. These elements will represent all the emotions any marriage must resist. Couples are asked to sample some lemon, vinegar, cayenne, and honey. A lemon slice is for sour it represents the disappointments the couple will face.
A sip of vinegar symbolizes the bitterness they must overcome in fights and trying times.
Cayenne is a hot element and shows a way for a couple to bring spice and passion to their relationship. Finally, a spoonful of honey represents the joy and sweet moments the couple will have in marriage. By tasting the four elements, the newlyweds show their willingness to remain together in every situation. And give the commitment to keep this marriage working together through their emotions.
- Proposal Letters
Traditional South African weddings are vibrant and filled with color, culture, music, and dancing. In Zulu, weddings before the wedding ceremonies take place, the groom and his family must first write a letter to the bride's family to formally ask to meet them. They clearly write their intentions in this letter. Also, the exact date and details they will come for negotiation Lobola (bride price).
After receiving this letter, the bride's family writes replies. In reply, they either confirm the set date or change it to one they are more comfortable with. In Nigeria, this wedding tradition of proposal letters is also practiced. Those letters are very elaborate and well-decorated.
In South Africa, the bride and groom will have a wedding ceremony after the Lobola. It typically takes three days and usually starts on a Friday.
On Friday, the groom's family goes to the bride's family house. They spend two days watching each other dance and sing traditional songs. On Sunday, the bride is taken to the groom's family home, where the traditional wedding (Umabo) takes place. While the "white" wedding happens the following day in the church.
- Dance-Offs
The traditional Zulu wedding (Umabo) takes place at the groom's family home. On that day, in the early morning, the bride will leave her home covered in a blanket. She is advised not to look back; it could bring bad luck. The bride's father will take her to the groom's family house.
When she reaches there, she walks around the groom's house to be introduced to her husband's ancestors. Then she enters the house through the kitchen before anyone notices her. The groom's family will pay the penalty for not being aware of the bride. The groom's family must first slaughter a cow before the wedding ceremony to welcome the bride.
The bride wears traditional clothes on that day, such as a beaded necklace, headdress, and soft leather aprons. While the groom wears a lion's skin. The bride and groom's families will exchange gifts and have a dance-off. This symbolizes the bride finally leaving her ancestral home to join her husband.
- Libation Ceremony
Respecting elders and honoring ancestors is an integral part of many African cultures. They perform liberation ceremonies at traditional weddings. It is a significant event in many traditional African weddings in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and other countries. An elder is responsible for performing the libation ceremony. They pour alcohol or holy water on the ground in the four cardinal directions.
Then, they recite prayers to the ancestral spirits, calling out the names of those who have recently passed away. This tradition connects the living to their ancestral spirits and blesses the bride and groom. Also, this tradition will invite divine guides and overseers to witness the marriage and offer gifts required for a happy marriage.
In some West African tribes, libation ceremonies are conducted to ensure couples gain wisdom from their ancestors. Also, both the bride and groom may respond to the invocation to accept the ancestor's blessing.
- Money Spraying
Money spraying is a popular African wedding tradition, especially in West Africa (Igbo and Yoruba tribes). In this tradition, money is sprayed on the bride when she dances during the wedding ceremony. Usually, it happens during the reception, and anyone can participate. But most cultures involve the older guests throwing the money to show their happiness for the couple.
Also, this tradition symbolizes a prosperous future for the bride and groom and shows flamboyance and affluence. Usually, the bridesmaids collect all of the thrown money. Later this money is given to the couple at the end of the night. There is no time set for this tradition, but the best time is when the bride and groom hit the dance floor.
This tradition is equally famous and practiced outside of Africa. In Armenia, money is sprayed on the couple during their first dance in a ritual called Shabash. This tradition is meant to bring good luck and financial success to the newlywed couple.
- Dancing Camels
Dancing is a common tradition at a wedding across the world. It is thought that no wedding ceremony or reception is complete without dancing. While in the West African country of Niger, a wedding is incomplete without a camel dance. The Tuaregs tribe in Niger has a unique tradition of proposing to a girl. When a young man finds a girl whom he wants to marry. He sneaks to her family house, where she lives with her parents, and tickles her ear.
She will cover her head if she is not interested, and the young man must leave immediately. But it is yes if she talks to him and gives him a pendant as a token of her acceptance. The groom's parents will meet the bride's parents and negotiate the bride's price.
Usually, the wedding ceremony will take place on a full moon. At the end of the wedding, a trained camel will show off its dancing moves along with a drum beat. This drum is a traditional Touareg instrument called the Tendé (in the Tamasheq language.)
- Cooking for the in-laws
This tradition is common in Burkina Faso. The bride has to cook the country's traditional dish, the Mossi (or Moagha), for her in-laws on the 7th day after the wedding. This traditional dish is a tasty maize paste called tô. It is paired with a sauce (mostly okra sauce is a favorite) and a soup. While the bride prepares this dish, his father kills a sheep at the bride's father's house. This sheep meat is used to make the soup served with this maize paste.
The bride's family then sends some delegates to the groom's family. They bring the last of the new bride's housewares, with the soup shared with the groom's family. After the meal, the bride's family heads home. And they also pick all the bones from the meat they just ate. As per tradition, the bride's family buries those bones on the way to their home. And make sure none of the bones they take to the bride's father's house to avoid bad luck for the newlywed couple.
- Jumping the Broom
Jumping the broom is an American African wedding tradition. It is one of the most famous and widespread wedding traditions among the black community in the United States.
The bride and groom jump over a broom together, as the phrase suggests. They believed jumping the broom helped sweep away past evil spirits and wrongs. Also, this act symbolizes their entrance into a new life and making a new family together.
Though it is not clear where this tradition originated from. But it is believed that it was practiced by the Welsh-Romani gypsy communities in the 18th century. Some believe that it originated in Ghana. Also practiced by slaves in the Southern United States, dating back to the 1840s and 1850s.
At that time, they are not allowed to wed legally. So many couples hold secret wedding ceremonies, one of which is jumping the broom. This tradition will signify their commitment to each other. You may be surprised to see African couples incorporate handmade or customized brooms to jump over as a souvenir for prosperous married life.
- Tying the Knot
Tying the knot is one of the popular wedding traditions that happen at weddings worldwide. But it is more than a colloquial phrase for marriage and cultural practice with roots in Africa. In Africa, it is more than a wedding tradition and means a tradition of literally and figuratively connecting the bride and groom together.
Before saying vows, the couple's wrists were tied together with rope. This act symbolizes them as a pair and keeps their promises to love and cherish each other. This knot is tied by a respected family member or the officiant. Many adaptations are used for this tradition, wrapping a piece of cord, vine, or leather around a couple.
Wrapping their hands together is meant to bind them together in matrimony. While in other cultures, this tradition is called handfasting. Another aspect of this tradition is that the material used for binding had its significance. For example, green represents renewal, white represents purity, red represents strength, and purple represents healing.
Nowadays, cowrie shells and kente clothes (brightly patterned Ghanaian fabric) are used instead of rope. They represent fertility and prosperity. Some religious couples choose to braid a cord before having it tied around their wrists, with the strands of the braid symbolizing the couple and God. The couple says their vows while being bound to affirm their commitment to each other.
