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A Little History on
the subject
A wedding
in American society is about
a man and a woman starting a
life together. Weddings in
Africa - ancient and current
- center on the combining of
two families.
Brides are part of the social universe in
traditional African culture. "They were seen as an important link
between the ancestors and the unborn," says Sulayman Nyang, director
of African Studies at Howard
University in Washington, D.C. "A woman who is entering matrimony
is in a powerful position, because she can be the mother of a chief or
a warrior. That is why the Zulus of South African call the mother "the
big house."
The Gabra Nomads of Northern Kenya say that "a man
without a wife is a man without a house." The creation of the new
house is significant to their wedding rituals. After a wedding date is
set - based upon a favorable lunar date - the groom's family literally
move its house to the bride's village and rebuilds it there.
In Ghana, the Asante male who is interested in a
woman must "knock on the door." That means his mother and mother's
brother will go to the girl's family and propose marriage.
Another element to consider when reviewing African
culture is polygamy. Polygamy is widely accepted as a lifestyle in
Africa.
And, because Africa is so diverse, specific wedding
rituals vary from region to region. There are over 1,000 ethnic groups
in Africa. Additionally, many Africans have Islamic and Christian
influences that play a role in wedding ceremonies.
Once the families agree on the couple's
suitability, the groom's family brings gifts to the bride's family as
a symbol of their appreciation and acceptance. Cattle is a common gift
among the Nyaweziz in East Africa and the Fulanis in West Africa.
The bride also undergoes a "rite of passage." "This
is a time when she will be initiated by the musukebba (female elders)"
Nyang says. "These women tell her what to expect and help orient her
about the realities of married life."
Among the Mande people it is common for young girls
between the ages of 12 and 18 to attend clitoridectomy (circumcision)
schools to learn the art of being a wife. During this time, they learn
secret codes and languages to help them communicate with other married
women, should the need arise.
Before the wedding takes place, there is the
"Loading of the Bride" or the (Epp). This Wolof practice is the
process whereby the elders of the village assemble with the bride to
offer advice and bring gifts.
The ceremony itself can be very simple or quite
lavish, depending on the family's wealth. If the family is poor, it is
likely to be at home and very simple with just the couple, their
families and the religious leader. More expensive weddings would
involve the entire community with lots of food and dance. The couple
will celebrate several weeks after consummating their marriage. This,
in a broad sense, is the traditional style of wedding for these
cultures.
Today, in general, African wedding customs are
changing. "Some couples are going as far as to "court" themselves,"
says Peter Pipim, education specialist at the Smithsonian's African
American Museum in Washington, D.C. "In some cases, couples become
husband wife through a situation similar to our common law
arrangement."
Mr. Pipin attributes this to overpopulation and
western influences.
"Old and new weddings and customs are
changing...adjusting," agrees Nyang.
*Reprinted from Brides Today magazine
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