Wedding Traditions Of Africa’s Southern Region
Wedding traditions and customs can vary from one end of a spectrum to the other, and often
can be completely different than one can imagine. Despite some modern day twists and with
the continent of Africa being the oldest, you will find many very old traditions throughout the
continent, For some of the countries in the southern region, such as South Africa, Tanzania and
Zimbabwe, the traditions and customs reflect both their gloried past and today’s modernization.
South Africa
Wedding traditions in South Africa enjoy more modern twists than most countries in Africa,
such as lighting of the unity candle. The couple has one candle at the service unlit with two
smaller candles, one on each side of the larger one. Then a family member from each side will
light the two smaller candles representing the couple as individuals. Then together they will light
the bigger candle using the two smaller candles. After blowing out the smaller ones, they have
left their individualism and united as one. Other traditions include:
- One of the long outstanding traditions is the Twelve Symbols of Life. These are very important
to their ceremonies and are symbolic to the family. They include: Bible or Koran, Bitter Herbs, a
Broom, Honey, Pepper, a Pot and Spoon, Salt, a Shield, a Spear, Water, Wheat and some Wine.
- Their wedding receptions include a very large feast, also known as the Karamu.
-After the ceremonies and receptions have concluded, the couple’s parents will then go to
the couple’s new home to light a fire. The fire is set from hearths of fire that came from both
parent’s homes.
Tanzania
General wedding traditions will vary pending on the ethnic group involved. Practicing clan
exogamy, which is marrying outside your own clan, is very common and is almost expected. Old
Tanzania weddings are still arranged by the parents. However, in the urban areas of the country
this practice is taking place less and less.
A Muslim bride is usually assigned a Sumo. The sumo is usually her mom’s best friend. She will
remain with the bride-to-be at all times prior to the wedding. The sumo will attend to her every
need as she prepares her body for her big day. This usually will include her skin, hair and nails.
The bride will then be decorated with henna and her hair will be twisted and covered in oils. The
bride’s body will also be covered in oils and heavily applied make-up. After she is ready, she
will then begin the accessory process of jewelry and the veil.
Despite all the preparation, the bride will not attend her own wedding. While her family throws
a large feast and celebration, while the bride waits at home, with her sumo, until her new groom
arrives. The couple has never met prior to being married.
While waiting for him to arrive, the sumo will address the bed with flower petals for fragrance.
She is then paid by the groom upon his arrival. Regardless of the bride’s wishes, he is to take her
virginity once they are alone. After this, if proven that she was a virgin, the family rejoices her
acceptance to the family with a celebration. If proven she was not a virgin prior to this evening,
all wedding gifts are returned.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is another country that often allows for the modern version of the white wedding
gown, if all rules leading up to the wedding are met. After they are met, the man would then ask
her father for permission for a white wedding. Other traditions include:
- Once the couple has decided to marry, the groom-to-be is introduced to her aunt. He will in turn
introduce the bride-to-be to his uncle. It will be the aunt and uncle’s responsibility to introduce
them to the rest of the families.
- After the date has been set, a ceremony known as Lobola takes place; which simply is the
paying of the dowry.
- Many wedding days start with a breakfast porridge called Bota. It can often be flavored by such
things as butter, peanut butter or even jam.
- Often a wedding in Zimbabwe includes the celebration of the killing of either a cow or a goat.
- At the wedding reception a man will hop up onto the table and sing a song for the new couple.
While he is singing, guests will stand in line with the couple’s gifts that they will hand over to
the man singing.
Wedding Traditions Of Africa’s Southern Region
Wedding traditions and customs can vary from one end of a spectrum to the other, and oftencan be completely different than one can imagine. Despite some modern day twists and withthe continent of Africa being the oldest, you will find many very old traditions throughout thecontinent, For some of the countries in the southern region, such as South Africa, Tanzania andZimbabwe, the traditions and customs reflect both their gloried past and today’s modernization.
South Africa
Wedding traditions in South Africa enjoy more modern twists than most countries in Africa,such as lighting of the unity candle. The couple has one candle at the service unlit with twosmaller candles, one on each side of the larger one. Then a family member from each side willlight the two smaller candles representing the couple as individuals. Then together they will lightthe bigger candle using the two smaller candles. After blowing out the smaller ones, they haveleft their individualism and united as one. Other traditions include:
- One of the long outstanding traditions is the Twelve Symbols of Life. These are very importantto their ceremonies and are symbolic to the family. They include: Bible or Koran, Bitter Herbs, aBroom, Honey, Pepper, a Pot and Spoon, Salt, a Shield, a Spear, Water, Wheat and some Wine.
- Their wedding receptions include a very large feast, also known as the Karamu.
-After the ceremonies and receptions have concluded, the couple’s parents will then go tothe couple’s new home to light a fire. The fire is set from hearths of fire that came from bothparent’s homes.
Tanzania
General wedding traditions will vary pending on the ethnic group involved. Practicing clanexogamy, which is marrying outside your own clan, is very common and is almost expected. OldTanzania weddings are still arranged by the parents. However, in the urban areas of the countrythis practice is taking place less and less.
A Muslim bride is usually assigned a Sumo. The sumo is usually her mom’s best friend. She willremain with the bride-to-be at all times prior to the wedding. The sumo will attend to her everyneed as she prepares her body for her big day. This usually will include her skin, hair and nails.
The bride will then be decorated with henna and her hair will be twisted and covered in oils. Thebride’s body will also be covered in oils and heavily applied make-up. After she is ready, shewill then begin the accessory process of jewelry and the veil.
Despite all the preparation, the bride will not attend her own wedding. While her family throwsa large feast and celebration, while the bride waits at home, with her sumo, until her new groom
arrives. The couple has never met prior to being married.
While waiting for him to arrive, the sumo will address the bed with flower petals for fragrance.She is then paid by the groom upon his arrival. Regardless of the bride’s wishes, he is to take hervirginity once they are alone. After this, if proven that she was a virgin, the family rejoices heracceptance to the family with a celebration. If proven she was not a virgin prior to this evening,all wedding gifts are returned.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is another country that often allows for the modern version of the white weddinggown, if all rules leading up to the wedding are met. After they are met, the man would then askher father for permission for a white wedding. Other traditions include:
- Once the couple has decided to marry, the groom-to-be is introduced to her aunt. He will in turnintroduce the bride-to-be to his uncle. It will be the aunt and uncle’s responsibility to introducethem to the rest of the families.
- After the date has been set, a ceremony known as Lobola takes place; which simply is thepaying of the dowry.
- Many wedding days start with a breakfast porridge called Bota. It can often be flavored by suchthings as butter, peanut butter or even jam.
- Often a wedding in Zimbabwe includes the celebration of the killing of either a cow or a goat.
- At the wedding reception a man will hop up onto the table and sing a song for the new couple.While he is singing, guests will stand in line with the couple’s gifts that they will hand over tothe man singing.
