By Nyasha Dube, I remember growing up, it was almost every little girl’s dream to have a beautiful white wedding. It was more about that princess or mermaid dress than anything. We all wanted to look like angels on our wedding day.
However, times seem to be changing as most people nowadays prefer traditional weddings. Fashion designers and tailors have also taken advantage of this rising need to deliver some of the most breathtaking traditional outfits.
And it’s the most beautiful thing to see when Africans embrace their tradition and actually add glamour to it.
Although there’s still an infusion of the western culture, we all have to agree that traditional weddings have “that thing” (lol).
For some, the traditional wedding takes place after the white wedding ceremony but some just opt for a full blown traditional ceremony.
Basically, a traditional wedding is about tying the bride and the groom knot in style, at the same time displaying the couple’s culture and heritage. It is where families get to showcase their different traditions, background, upbringing, what they stand for etc.
Traditional weddings usually places emphasis on costume, decor and the rituals or customs performed during the ceremony.
The couple can also be from different cultural backgrounds. After all a wedding is about bringing two families together, and two people becoming one, right. It helps families to unite and embrace cultural diversity.
During a traditional ceremony families dress up in colourful attire and is usually held at the bride’s home.
This is where the groom comes and pays brideprice in form of cash, livestock, food and clothing.
The variation of marriage ceremonies in Africa and the growing positive attitude towards traditional weddings could result in Africans embracing the beauty of their own culture.