Wedding Traditions in Africa

Few things always make life special. The small gestures, a kiss, or a hug is something that saves any relationship from going astray. Weddings are the time when you plan to celebrate this togetherness forever. The varied wedding traditions in the world make marriages even more interesting for the bride, bridegroom and their families.

About wedding traditions in Africa

Traditional African weddings were family affair. With marriage two communities, family, and individuals are tied together. The bride holds an important position in the family, as she is the link between the unborn child and the ancestors. She is treated with immense respect in the new family that she just married. In African villages, the groom’s family may also shift to the bride’s village and set up a new home for marriage.

The African continent enjoys colorful wedding traditions that include feasts, procession, and folk dances. North African marriages follow the Muslim traditions. In southern region, there are more Christian and tribal weddings taking place.

An important part that sets wedding traditions in Africa different from other continents is that girls are trained to face married life from an early age. There are classes held in the communities to teach girls about marital responsibilities.

Another custom followed in Africa is that of learning of secret codes by the girls so that their husbands do not understand their interaction with other women. Depending on which part of the nation you are in, the wedding rituals may get elaborate. Common to all kinds of African wedding is the entertainment and joy attached to the attainment of adulthood of women. Marriage is seen as a transformation from childhood to adulthood.

Wedding customs in South Africa

In Christian weddings, the procession with the would-be bride and the groom reaches the church. The unity candle signifying the togetherness of the couple and their families is lit at the altar.

Another highlighted fact of the wedding culture in the continent is representation of the “twelve symbols” reflecting the Black lifestyle. These symbols include wine, wheat, pepper, salt, bitter herbs, water, a pot and spoon, a broom, honey, a spear, a shield, and a copy of the Bible or the Koran. Each of these elements represents a different part of life in the continent. The Spear and shield stands for protection and defense while the broom represents daily life chores.

The wedding feast begins with the morning vows ceremony and ends with a gala dinner. The dinner is known as “Karamu”. In South Africa, the parents of the bride and groom bring fire from their cooking hearths to ignite the fire of love in the home of the newly weds.

Tribal wedding traditions in Africa

African continent is home to at least 1,000 cultural and ethnic tribal units. These tribal groups have different wedding customs. These groups often have ceremonies that may look weird to other communities. Fire dancers, forest walks, and praying for the soul of their ancestors are all part of the wedding ceremony.