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Wedding Traditions of Africa’s Northwest Region
Wedding traditions in Africa have some of the oldest customs in the world, as it is the oldestcontinent on earth. Many of the traditions are of religious, cultural or tribal spirited. In thenorthwest region of Africa, where you will find such countries as Algeria, Morocco, Niger andNigeria, you will see the true spirit of those customs in their ceremonies.
Algeria
- Since parents give the parental guidance, they must approve of the spouse before the couplemarries.
- Generally the male will express interest and love of a woman to his mother. She will thenverify suitability of the woman and her family with her own.
- Algerian weddings and receptions are filled with robust colors and with much emotion.
- After the engagement is announced, Shore begins. This the process of the family makingpurchases of items such as: clothes, wool, gold and other household goods.
- The couple will then spend as much time together as possible to really get to know each otherand plan out what their roles will be before the wedding takes place.
- In Algeria, it is believed that the more money that is paid toward the wedding, the prouder theyare. In addition, the bigger the meal is at the reception, the more the generous.
- After the reception, the bride is taken to the groom’ s place wearing an elaborate wedding gown.She is seated in a chair that has been decorated for her. She is all made up in jewelry, make-upand with henna designs on her feet, as well as her hands. The guests will dance as they say good-bye to her. When the couple leaves, they are now officially married.
M orocco
- The traditional wedding ceremony can last anywhere from four to seven days.
- A Moroccan wedding is usually done in three stages, the Hammam, the Henna and theCeremony.
- The brides’ jewelry must be made from gold. This includes her bracelets, rings, earrings andnecklaces.
- During a normal six months to two year engagement, the man will send his fiancé gifts.
- The Hammam is a pre-wedding ceremony where the brides’ friends and other women throw aparty and the bride is then bathed in a milk bath. This also includes black soap as to purify thebride.
- The Henna is the painting of the brides’ hands and feet for the wedding. A specialist known asthe Nekkacha, paints her appendages in geometrical and floral designs. This is meant to scare off
any evil spirits.
- The Ceremony contains customary dress in which the couple is dressed by the Neggafates. Thisis when the exchanging of the rings takes place.
- When the ceremony is done, guests partake in milk and dates. This symbols the sweetness andfruitfulness that life has to offer. The couple is then carried across the room by young men on aAmairya.
- A customary Moroccan wedding is generally impressive and very expensive.
Niger
- Often in Niger, the cousins will court each other for marriage.
- Male cousins often wear amulets that allegedly increase their attractiveness.
- In the event two male cousins have the same desires for the same female cousin, she will decideas to which cousin she will marry.
- For the cousin she does not select, he would be welcomed to their home. If she consents, oftenthe bride may share her bed with both cousins.
Nigeria
- Nigeria respects their wedding traditions from the past, but has also incorporated morecontemporary rituals into their ceremonies.
- Engagement ceremonies take place in different parts of Nigeria. During this fun time, thecouple-to-be’ s family and friends enjoy nuts and colas, while the officiating elder drinks palmwine; as does the couple.
- The officiating officer serves as the speaker for both families as they share messages betweeneach other.
- The family of the groom pays a price for the bride to her family. The price is generally made upof shoes, clothing and jewelry.
- Often the family elders will assist in giving the bride a bath prior to her wedding day.
- For the ceremony, the bride often wears Indian fabrics that have been imported in. They mayinclude such items as: necklaces, ankle bracelets and decorative headpieces.
- Much like most weddings, a gala event follows the ceremony. Live bands playing all night longwith much singing and dancing is the norm at most Nigerian weddings.
- After the party, the groom, along with his family, will go to the bride’ s house to claim her fromher dad.

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Wedding Traditions of Eastern Europe’s Central Region
Wedding traditions of Eastern Europe has grand traditions that have been part of the regionsmany years. Although modern traditions have been incorporated, older traditions still remain.For the countries of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, they are no exception.
Bulgaria
- In old Koprivshttiza, it was the mother who chose her son’s bride. The mother would see if thewoman would make a good wife if she was a good housewife that was hard working. The reasonfor this is because often the son would be out of the village as much as four to five months out ofthe year and did not have time to search for a bride.
- Often the groom’s parents and his friends will go to the home of the girl. They give herparents reasons for why they are there as through various rituals. When the families agree on themarriage, the young woman is then asked for her acceptance of the marriage, and more oftenthan not, she agrees.
- In the old days, a Bulgarian wedding may last up to three or four days, in which day hassomething specific planned for it. Whether its food preparation or wreaths being made.
- Old Bulgarian wedding traditions are connected with the separation of the bride from herfamily and friends as she joins her groom’s family. Often that leads to her calling her new in-laws mother and father.
- Just prior to the wedding, a bride will toss a dish over her head. The dish is filled with coins,wheat and raw eggs. In the event the dish breaks, that is a symbol for good luck.
- Future happiness is in order if the couple each steps into the church with their right foot.
Hungary
- Hungary is a multicultural country and often the weddings reflect that.
- The bride generally will wear an elaborate headdress which will include woven strands ofwheat. The wheat is a symbol of fertility.
- An egg is also presented to the new bride. She would then smash the egg thus bringing good
health to her future children.
- As a measure for the bride’s wish for a long and happy marriage, she will present a gift ofseven scarves to her new husband. Seven is considered a lucky number.
- The ceremony usually begins with the couple arriving by a horse drawn carriage.
- As a sign of their trust, the coupe will exchange moneybags and handkerchiefs.
- The money dance at the reception involves the bride placing her shoes in the middle of thedance floor. Anyone wanting a dance with the new bride needs to place money into her shoes.
Romania
- A wedding ceremony is often known as a “show” with elaborate outfits. This is looked at as asign of prosperity and happiness to the new couple.
- Often in the Moldova part of Romania, a wedding celebration will last all night and into themorning.
- A sign of respect to the parents is for the couple to bow to them, which is another way ofshowing their gratitude for all that they have done as parents.
- At the end of the reception, a baby is held by the new bride as a symbol for her own home to befull of children.
- In the Maramures part of Romania, a trust worthy friend of the groom will be sent to thepotential bride’s home to get permission of marriage. Quite often the answer is yes. At that pointthe discussion turns to the woman’s dowry and the engagement date is set.
- Many traditions are followed to be exact with a Romanian wedding. Everything from theclothing to the dressing of the table. Traditions play a very important part in wedding ceremoniesand their pre and post celebrations.
- On the evening before the wedding, many men and musicians will show up at the groom’shouse where they will perform the “Flag Dance.”
- Emotional moments are held for the relatives of the bride and groom as they ask their parentsfor their forgiveness for all past mistakes.
- At the ceremony, both the bride and the groom will have their cheeks washed by the groom’smother. This is one form of acceptance of the new bride by her new mother-in-law.
- A Romanian wedding is so important, that many girls begin to plan as early as age six. They
will begin to fill their wedding trousseau by collecting treasures.