Zulu South African Wedding Traditions

[mcesa019-blog]

Tying the Knot

As well as exchanging rings, its African tradition to have their wrists tied together by grass or material.

[mcesa019-blog]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQtRKqnuqvc)

wedding dance

[mcesa019-blog]

12 Symbols

 -traditionally present during a South African wedding 

- represent what the couple should expect and will be willing to endure during marriage. 

-The 12 symbols are salt, pepper, wheat, wine, bitter herbs, a holy book (such as the Quran or Bible), a broom, honey, a spoon, a spear, a shield and a pot.

[mcesa019-blog]

Ceremony

-Bags of pebbles are tied to brides ankles.                                                                             Reason?  For a rhythmic effect during dancing

-Minature knife called “assagai” is carried pointed up on day of ceremony .                     Reason?  To symbolize her virginity. When marriage  is consummated knife will be pointed down.

   GROOM and family slaughters a cow as an insurance in the event of his death or if he leaves unjustly.

THE CATTLE?

SYMBOLIZES a source of financial  support for her and any children they may have, and guarantees the brides father that he will take care of his daughter.

   BRIDE  places money inside the stomach of the cow to SYMBOLIZE that she is a part of the family.

[mcesa019-blog]

Periodic and Occasional  Ritual

     -This ritual in particular  only happens for a wedding  

[mcesa019-blog]

[mcesa019-blog]

What do the beads mean?

Beaded jewelry is the language of LOVE in Zulu weddings

   -SACRED ART

The meaning of color

The matching color-coded necklaces & bracelets will let everyone know that they are together

[mcesa019-blog]

[mcesa019-blog]

Vibrant Colors & Beaded Jewels

~From white wedding dress to traditional tribal clothing after church ceremony

~Brides to be make two sets of beaded necklaces in matching colors

[mcesa019-blog]

Dance off

~Dance competition between  bride and grooms family.

~disconnecting from brides ancestral line of birth and joining her husbands ancestral lineage

~during the ceremony the bride does a dance of her own during which she kicks her leg high in order to show her mother that she is a virgin

              THE SYMBOLISM OF DANCE AND MUSIC

These rituals are a way of telling a story

Membranephones and idiophones are used as musical instruments used during these dances.   

[mcesa019-blog]

Zulu weddings are marked by vibrant colors and dance-offs 

               ~ Dance-offs are between the groom and the brides family

                    ~highlight of every Zulu wedding ceremony 

[mcesa019-blog]

Married Zulu South African Couple