Monkey Wedding": A Curious Weather Phenomeno

Monkey's wedding is a phrase used to describe a meteorological phenomenon where there is rain and sunshine at the same time. It is a well-known expression in South Africa, directly translated from the Zulu phrase umshado wezinkawu, meaning wedding for monkeys. The origin of this phrase is uncertain, but it may have been influenced by the Portuguese phrase casamento de macaco, which also means monkey's wedding. This phenomenon is known by various names across different cultures, often involving animals or mythical creatures getting married or performing other activities.

The origin of the phrase

The phrase "monkey's wedding" is primarily associated with South Africa, where it is a common expression. It describes a unique weather phenomenon: a combination of sunshine and light rain, often referred to as a sunshower. This unusual occurrence of simultaneous sun and rain is likened to the whimsical idea of a wedding for monkeys.

The exact origin of the phrase is a bit of a puzzle, with a few possible explanations. One theory suggests a direct connection to the Zulu language. In Zulu, the phrase "umshado wezinkawu" or "umshado we zinkawu" translates literally to "wedding for monkeys." This Zulu phrase is believed to be the source of the South African English version, a loan translation where the meaning is directly translated into another language.

Another possible origin is traced back to the influence of Portuguese colonialism in Africa. The Portuguese phrase "casamento de raposa," meaning "vixen's wedding," is used to describe the same weather phenomenon. In the Portuguese colonies, the word "rapôsa" (vixen) may have been replaced by "macaco" (monkey), resulting in the phrase "casamento de macaco" or "monkey's wedding." This theory suggests that the phrase entered South African English either directly from Portuguese or through other languages like Dutch or Zulu.

It's worth noting that similar expressions exist in various languages worldwide, often associating this type of weather with animals and marriage. For example, in Arabic, it's when "the rats are getting married," in Bulgarian, it's the bears, and in Japanese and Korean cultures, it's attributed to foxes and tigers, respectively. These shared associations across diverse language communities suggest a deep-rooted cultural connection to this unique weather event.

The phrase "monkey's wedding" captures the playful and intriguing nature of experiencing sunshine and rain simultaneously, a phenomenon that has inspired expressions of wonder and creativity across different cultures.

Other names for the phenomenon

The phenomenon of rain falling while the sun is shining is known as a sunshower. While the term "sunshower" is used in several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK, the phenomenon has a wide range of folkloric names in different cultures and languages. Many of these names are related to the theme of clever animals and tricksters like the devil or witches getting married.

• In Arabic, it is said that "the rats are getting married".
• In Bulgarian, the phrase used is related to bears getting married.
• In Hindi, it is called "the jackal's wedding".
• In Japanese and Korean, the phrase used refers to "the fox's wedding", while in Korea, it is also called "the day of the tiger's marriage".
• In Polish, the saying goes that "when the sun is shining and the rain is falling, the witch is making butter".
• In Turkish, it is said that "the devils are getting married".
• In the American South, a well-known phrase is "The devil's beating his wife", sometimes with the addition of "behind his kitchen door".
• In Mexico, two phrases are common: in the north, it is said that a doe is giving birth ("Está pariendo una venada"), while in the south, they say that two elders are getting married ("Se están casando los viejitos.").
• In the Philippines, it is said that the "tikbalang is marrying".
• In Belgium, Flanders, and the Netherlands, the traditional belief is that of "Duiveltjeskermis" or "Devil's fair".
• In France, two phrases are used: "Le diable bat sa femme et marie sa fille" ("the devil beats his wife and marries his daughter"), and "Le diable bat sa femme pour avoir des crêpes" ("the devil beats his wife to have crêpes").
• In Russian, it is called "mushroom rain" ("грибной дождь" or "gribnoy dozhd'), as such conditions are believed to be favourable for mushroom growth.

Why the phrase is used

The phrase "monkey's wedding" is used to describe a meteorological phenomenon where rain falls while the sun is shining, also known as a sunshower. This phenomenon usually occurs due to winds associated with a distant rainstorm, or when a single rain shower cloud passes overhead without obstructing the sunlight.

The phrase is particularly prevalent in South African English, where it is a direct translation of the Zulu phrase "umshado wezinkawu", meaning "wedding for monkeys". The Zulu phrase may have influenced the Portuguese phrase "casamento de macaco", which also means "monkey's wedding", in Portugal's southern African colonies.

The use of animal imagery, specifically referring to a wedding or nuptials, is a common theme in expressions for this weather phenomenon across many different cultures and languages. For example, in Arabic, it is said that "the rats are getting married", while in Bulgarian, it is the bears who are tying the knot. Similarly, in Hindi, it is "the jackals' wedding", and in Japanese and Korean, it is "the fox's wedding".

The devil is also a recurring character in these expressions, often depicted as fighting or beating his wife. In the Southern United States, for instance, the phrase goes, "the devil is beating his wife".

The exact reasons for these phrases are unclear, but they may stem from folk explanations of natural phenomena, with sentient animals and supernatural beings like devils often playing a central role in folklore.

Other weather folklore

The phrase "a monkey's wedding" is used to describe a meteorological phenomenon where rain falls while the sun is shining. This phenomenon is usually the result of winds associated with a distant rainstorm, or sometimes a single rain shower cloud passing overhead. This is also known as a "sunshower".

Crows and the Wind

"If crows fly low, the wind will blow; if crows fly high, the wind will die." This saying suggests that observing the flight patterns of crows can predict wind speed and direction.

Rainbow at Noon

"Rainbow at noon, more rain soon." This folklore suggests that the appearance of a rainbow during midday indicates that more rainfall is imminent.

Moon and Frost

"Clear moon, frost soon." This saying indicates that a clear night sky, with the moon visible, often leads to cold temperatures and the formation of frost.

Red Sky at Night

"Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning." This well-known saying has some scientific basis. When the sun sets, its light passes through a thicker part of the atmosphere, scattering more blue wavelengths. A clear sky at sunset, indicated by more red and orange hues, often signifies calm weather for the following day.

Onion Skin and Winter Severity

The thickness of the skin of an onion is said to predict the severity of the upcoming winter. A thin onion skin indicates a mild winter, while a thick skin foretells a cold and harsh season.

Similar phrases in other languages

The phenomenon of rain falling while the sun is shining, also known as a sunshower, has resulted in a plethora of folkloric names in different cultures and languages. The phrase "monkey's wedding" is believed to have originated from Portugal's southern African colonies, where the original Portuguese phrase "casamento de macaco" was used. However, it may also have been derived from the Zulu phrase "umshado we zinkawu", which directly translates to "wedding for monkeys". The exact reason for the shift in usage from Portuguese to Zulu is unclear, but it could be due to the influence of the Zulu language and cultural interactions within South Africa.

• In Arabic, the term is "the rats are getting married".
• In Bulgarian, they speak of bears getting married.
• In Hindi, it is known as "the jackal's wedding".
• In Calabria, Italy, it is said that "when it rains with sun, the foxes are getting married".
• In Japanese, a similar phrase exists.
• In Korea, they refer to "the day of the fox's marriage" or "the day of the tiger's marriage".
• In the southwestern dialect of English, the phrase is "the foxes' wedding".
• In Polish, the saying goes that "when the sun is shining and the rain is falling, the witch is making butter".
• In Turkish, they say "the devils are getting married".
• In the American South, the phrase is often "The devil's beating his wife".
• In Mexico, two phrases are common: in the north, it is said that a doe is giving birth ("Está pariendo una venada"), while in the south, they say that two elders are getting married ("Se están casando los viejitos").
• In Russia, it is called "mushroom rain" as such conditions are believed to favour mushroom growth, or "blind rain" because it doesn't realise it shouldn't be raining.

Frequently asked questions