Thursday, March 26, 2009

Get Inside Wedding Tips

The United States is a huge melting pot, full of different cultures and traditions. This includes different wedding traditions that are performed throughout the states. Some wedding traditions may look strange to those who are not familiar with them. Removing the brides garter is consider vulgar by more than a few cultures, and the traditional throwing of the bouquet is considered odd. Also, driving a vehicle with loud and noisy cans being dragged behind is considered rude. Many couples though, make the decision to include traditions from other cultures, as well as their own, it to their wedding.

In Africa there are quite a few traditions that started there and are used throughout the world. Many people just are not aware of where these traditions came from or are misinformed.
Giving a dowry is one of the common wedding traditions derived from Africa. A dowry is in essence an bargained gift from the grooms family the bride’s family. How much is given depends on a amount of things. It is not uncommon for a dowry to be given on how desirable the bride is. Factors such as her beauty, the amount of education she has had, and her social class all play parts in the dowry given.

Ceremonial wedding traditions in Africa are very different than those practiced anywhere else. Some even seem outlandish to do, but are important in African culture. There is an African tribe known for its “good luck” traditions that are far from anything lucky for most people. Part of the marriage ceremony is for the bride to walk to her groom’s house on foot. She must get together all of her possessions and carry them with her, no matter how far the walk. Her father will spit on her for good luck and to bless her marriage before she leaves. Once she arrives at the home of her groom, the women will yell rude comments and insults at her for good luck.

African honeymoons are also extremely different from most places around the world. In a specific tribe, an elderly women will coach the bride on what to do in the wedding bed and how to pleasure her husband. The elder women often hides under the wedding bed to make sure that the bride satisfies her husband. In some tribes the marriage is not final until children are born. There are also temporary marriages set-up. In these marriages, a bride will receive some type of payment, but will have no right to inherit anything.

Ref : weddingarticle.net