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 leave us a comment down there you share with a friend on 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