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The large and varied continent of Africa contains some of the oldest civilizations on earth. Its colourful diversity of religions and cultures make it a lively and interesting place, with a wealth of fascinating wedding and marriage traditions. Traditionally, wedding presents for the bride and groom are hand-crafted and carry the message of love and commitment.

Possibly the most important tradition associated with weddings in Africa is that of family. An African wedding is primarily the bringing together of two separate people as a single family unit, or the combining of two families – or even two tribes – into one family unit. The bride and groom don’t only marry each other – they marry each other’s family.

The African Wedding Ceremony

There are more than a thousand tribes in Africa, and each tribe has its own particular wedding and marriage tradition. Many of these traditions can be traced back thousands of years. Many northern Africans are influenced by Muslim marriage traditions, while further south there are Christian, Hindu, and even Jewish traditions. The variety of cultural and religious influence means there is no one ‘set’ wedding ceremony.

In some parts of Africa wedding ceremonies are elaborate, some lasting for days. It is common for ceremonies to be held during which many an individual bride and groom are married at the same time. Often in Africa, wedding presents are gifts for the home or clothing. Batik rugs or traditional crafts representing couples are popular wedding presents.

Unusual Customs

• In Sudan and other areas along the Nile, a groom must pay his bride’s family in cattle. This is to compensate them for the loss of their daughter’s labour. A wife may cost a man up to forty head of cattle! Sometimes this is so costly, the bride and groom barely have enough cattle left to support themselves. To help, other members of the tribe will often give cattle as wedding presents.

• In Somalia a man can have four wives if he is able to support them. Some Somalian girls are engaged before they are even born!

• Unlike Western culture, in many African cultures children are encouraged to marry as soon as they have reached physical adulthood – often the bride and groom are as young as thirteen.

• Divorce is very rare in Africa, and the bride and groom will be encouraged to talk through their problems with their families and, sometimes, their whole tribe.
Date posted: 16/02/2010