Wedding Planner

Foreign Wedding - African Weddings

African Weddings center on the combining of two families.

Brides are part of the social universe in traditional African culture. They are seen as an important link between the ancestors and the unborn. 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 Kenya say, "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 moves 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. Polygamy is widely accepted as a lifestyle 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 are a common gift between 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. 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". 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. 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". In some cases, couples become husband wife through a situation similar to our common law arrangement. "This has been attributed to the overpopulation and western influences. All the old as well as new weddings and customs are changing.

An important ceremony during the marriage.

BROOM JUMPING

This traditional ritual by the African ancestors ages back during the period of slavery. Because slaves could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning.

Today the ceremony can be performed at the wedding after the minister pronounces the couple man and wife or at the reception just after the bridal party enters the reception area.

How to perform a broom jumping ceremony?
Supplies: Broom, Ribbon
A fully decorated broom or a regular household broom will suffice. Broom sizes will vary, but it doesn't matter which you choose.

Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real), or other trinkets to make it unique. But don't overdo it. You'll probably want this for a keepsake in your home. Another idea is to have a basket full of ribbon pieces at the wedding or reception and allow guests to tie ribbons around the broom before you begin the ceremony.

The Ceremony

Have your host ask guests to form a circle around the couple as they stand in front of the broom on the floor. The host should discuss the symbolism behind the broom as it relates to the joining of the couple and the combining of two families, and the need for the community to support the couple. Meanwhile have the couple hold the broom handle together and sweep around in a circle until the host or designated person is finished talking.

The groom should then place the broom on the floor and hold the bride's hand.

Have everyone count 1, 2, and 3... Jump!

Top..

Wedding Planner

Foreign Wedding - African Weddings

Marriages Goa