types of African traditional marriage practices

Intro
[Music]
the african society is a diverse one
with different cultures and traditions
marriage is an important part of african
societies it has its own set of
traditions that are followed and
practiced
these practices often times have deeper
meanings and significance
welcome to afro in today's video we'll
explore some of the most common and
unique microtraditions performed in
africa
shall we begin
Knocking
the introduction
asking for a girl's hand in marriage is
pretty much a common practice around the
world and it is no different for most
african cultures but it does come with a
little twist for some ethnic groups in
ghana this is known as
which literally translates us knocking
the groom together with his family on a
special pre-arranged night
knocks on the door of the bride's house
once they are let in the prison gives
such as wine and colanders to the
bride's family they then announce their
intentions and discuss the prospects of
joining the two families through
marriage if everything goes well the
bride comes to give her final consent
which most of the time is a yes various
african communities have different ways
of performing the knocking ceremony in
nigeria the yoruba calls it
this which literally means no me let me
know you yagikuyu community in kenya
call said
this
tell us how this is called in your
country
Engagement Ceremony
[Music]
in most african societies is a union
between families not just two
individuals that's why an engagement
ceremony which is basically a diary
payment ceremony is very important
[Music]
red prize remains a crucial part of
african marriages in the past bread
prize was a guarantee that the bride is
ready to tear rubber for the first time
it was also a way for the group to
demonstrate that he will be a good
provider who will take care of the bride
the ceremony differs slightly from
country to country in burkina faso the
muaga tribe calls it this on this day
the groom's family goes to the bryce
family to offer the negotiated bread
price this can be in the form of
livestock cereals kitchen utensils or
clothes each community in africa has its
own way of celebrating the engagement
ceremony
in kenya the yagi kuyu community core
said
while in south africa the zulus call it
[Music]
Submission
marital submission
just like in the christian faith several
african communities teach for submission
to one's husband that's why it is a
common practice in many african
societies to see a bride kneeling before
her husband during an african wedding or
engagement ceremony in burkina faso
during the traditional engagement
ceremony bryce from the mossie or the
muga ethnic group are given a drink by
their younger cousins the bride is
supposed to taste the drink first before
offering it to her husband on her knees
as similarly shown in this nigerian one
[Music]
All Hail the Queen
all hail the queen
while every bride would like to feel
like a queen on a wedding day eritrean
brides actually look and dress like one
crowns are placed on these african bride
and groom's heads as a symbol of their
new status as king and queen of their
new households the priest blesses the
crowns and then swap them three times
between the couple to seal the union
[Music]
Dancing
dancing at a wedding is a tradition
shared across the world in fact no
marriage ceremony in africa is ever
complete without people getting their
groove on at the reception but in the
west african country of niger tamils do
the dancing
[Applause]
Money Spray
money spraying
a popular african wedding tradition
especially in west africa is to spread
money on the bride while she dances of
course only notes are encouraged you
can't go hurling coins at people older
guys are usually the ones throwing the
money but anyone can participate to show
their happiness for the people it is
also a basic show of flamboyance and
influence and a symbol of prosperous
future for the bride and groom
No smiling
no smiling
for most couples their wedding day is
the happiest day of their lives that is
if they are beaming faces are anything
to go by but that is not the case for
these congolese brides and grooms
marriage is considered a serious affair
including the reception in the photo
session the bride and groom are not
allowed to smile if they did it would
mean they are not serious about the
marriage fortunately these practices
died and congolese weddings these days
are full of happiness and smiles
Tasting of the 4 elements
tasting of the four elements
the euro by ethnic group also present in
countries like nigeria nigerian benin
have a wedding tradition called the
tasting of the four elements during that
ceremony the bride and groom get a
literal taste of flavors that represent
the distinct stages in a marriage by
tasting each of these flavors the
couples symbolically demonstrate that
they will be able to overcome everything
together
which of these african married
traditions are performed in your country
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peace