Jumping the Broom
The African tradition of jumping over the broom goes back to slave
days At the end of the ceremony, after the kiss and the presentation
of the couple to their guests, one of the attendants produces a broom
(which has been previously hidden somewhere near the location of the
ceremony) or a special person brings the broom from the audience and
places it in the path of the wedding couple.
They then jump over the broom on their way out.
Many people believe that jumping the broom is associated with slavery.
This is not true. Jumping the broom dates back to before the first
Europeans visited Africa or at least certain parts of Africa.
As an offer to the gods to join in the celebration, wine is poured onto the ground.
Jumping the broom should always remind the couple of their new life
and commitment to each other in line with the African culture.
All traditions are different. We have complied a list of some African traditions
Nigerian Weddings
Congo(Zaire) wedding Traditions
Marriage is a key moment that follows immediately after initiation
among many peoples because both events serve to break the bonds of the
individual with childhood and the unmarried state, and to reintegrate
the individual into the adult community.
The woman is given a set of carved pot lids
by her mother when she marries. Each
of the lids is carved with images that illustrate proverbs about
relations between husband and wife.
The pots lids come into use when for example
the husband abuses his wife or if the wife is unhappy, she
serves the husband's supper in a bowl that is covered with a lid
decorated with the appropriate proverb. Her complaint is made
public if she uses the lid when his friends are around for dinner.
Zambian wedding Traditions
To demonstrate the differences of African culture, here are some
examples of several Zambian weddings. Although these weddings take
place in the same country, difference provinces have different ways of
approaching the marriage ceremony. The common thread is the closeness of
the bridal family to achieve the goal of a wedding and lasting
relationship. Marriage payments are to the family of the bride rather
than to the brides parents.
WEDDING CEREMONY ACCORDING TO THE ZIMBABWEAN CULTURE
The white wedding in Zimbabwe is exactly like the English one. However there is certain protocol to be followed before this event and without which the white wedding will not take place.
LOOSE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE BIG DAY.
- Boys meets gal.
- When both have decided the relationship is serious enough to be permanent, introductions take place on both sides i.e. the girl introduces her boyfriend to her aunt ( dad's sister ), who in turn introduces him to the rest of the gal's family and announces their intentions.
The same happens with the guy although he can actually use an uncle instead of an aunt.
- Then both parties agree of set a date for the first leg of the marriage ceremony which is the paying of LOBOLA ( Dowry ) by the man. ( This is the most important part of the whole marriage business because no white wedding can take place before this is done.)
- At that ceremony, which consists of a big gathering of members of both families, the woman's family decides how much dowry they want, and this would be in form of money, cows and clothes, amount of which really depends on each individual family and which part of Zimbabwe they come from. In some families, greed has made this an expensive business.
The guy has to pay some of the LOBOLA at that ceremony, and negotiate to pay the rest in instalments, over many years. Some men have been know never to finish paying.
- Also at this same ceremony, the man can then ask the woman's father for permission to have a white wedding.
- If agreeable, then boy and gal set a registry or white wedding date. After this both families have other meetings for the actual arrangements for the wedding and who pays for what. Boy, gal and both families share the cost of the actual wedding and in some families, the money from the LOBOLA is kept and ploughed back into the wedding kitty.
|
