A Zulu Wedding: Traditions And Customs

Traditional Zulu weddings are vibrant affairs filled with music, colours, dancing, and feasting. They are usually held at the groom's family home and begin in the early morning, with the bride arriving with her family and bridesmaids at the groom's house with a symbolic box (kist in Zulu) filled with her belongings. The kist symbolises her coffin, as she is now preparing to live the rest of her life in her groom's home. The wedding ceremony itself usually takes place at a local church, after which the service moves to the groom's home, where the bride changes into a traditional Zulu outfit. One of the highlights of the wedding is the competitive dancing and singing between the bride and groom's families, marking the point at which the bride disconnects from her ancestral line and joins her husband's.

The bride changes outfits multiple times

Zulu weddings are rich in cultural traditions, and the bride's attire plays a significant role in the celebrations. On her wedding day, a Zulu bride will traditionally change her outfit at least three times, and sometimes more, to showcase her beauty to her in-laws in different styles and colours.

The wedding ceremony usually takes place at a local church, and during this time the bride often wears a white wedding dress. However, after the church service, the bride typically changes into traditional Zulu attire. This outfit often includes a "isidwaba" or "umakoti", a long, colourful skirt made of fabric with vibrant patterns, paired with a matching top called an "inyoni". The bride may also wear a traditional hat, known as an "isicholo" or "inkehi", made from woven grass or modern materials, which symbolises respect, maturity, and the transition to womanhood.

The bride's ensemble is often enhanced with intricate beadwork, including necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Beads hold cultural and symbolic meaning, and the patterns and colours used can convey various messages. Additionally, the bride may wear a veil made of beads and twisted fig trees, and tie oxtail fringes on her arms and knees. She may also carry a miniature knife pointed upwards to symbolise her virginity.

After the formal ceremony, the bride may change into another outfit for the wedding reception. This dress is often chosen for its elegance and comfort, allowing the bride to dance and socialise with guests. The multiple dress changes allow the bride to showcase different aspects of her identity, from her cultural heritage to her personal style. Each outfit change also highlights the transitions and various stages of the wedding celebration.

The bride's choice of outfits is a blend of cultural heritage and personal style, reflecting her unique journey and the blending of cultural traditions with contemporary styles.

The groom pays a dowry in cattle

In Zulu culture, the groom is required to pay a dowry, also known as lobola, in the form of cattle. The number of cattle is determined through a series of negotiations with the bride's family, usually involving the fathers and uncles of the bride. The cattle serve as a source of financial support for the bride and any children she may have if something happens to the groom. The dowry also demonstrates the groom's ability to provide for his wife and signifies his appreciation for the bride's father's efforts in raising her.

During the negotiations, the bride's father demands worthy compensation for giving his daughter away. The bride's family may request a higher number of cattle, driving up the "price". Once an agreement is reached, the wedding plans can proceed. If the bride is not a virgin, the groom must pay a fine, and the wedding is conducted immediately.

On the wedding day, the groom's family will slaughter a cow to symbolise their acceptance of the bride into their home. The bride places money inside the cow's stomach, indicating her willingness to join her new family. This act of placing money inside the cow is a significant ritual in Zulu weddings.

The dowry in the form of cattle is an integral part of traditional Zulu weddings, reflecting the cultural and economic values of Zulu society.

Gifts are exchanged

The bride also has to bring gifts for her family and some furniture. She brings a kist (a freestanding chest), a bed, and all the bedding and grass mats. The groom's family will give her a list of people, and she is required to bring pillows and bedding for all the members of her in-law's family on that list.

The bride begins by sitting on a grass mat. Before the ceremony begins, her father-in-law welcomes her, and her father also says a few words to indicate that he approves of the marriage. The bridesmaids and the bride's sisters bring the gifts to the in-laws while the bride sits on her mat. The names of the people on the list are called out, one by one, and they are given blankets, grass mats, pillows, and beer pots. When an individual is called out, they are expected to lie on the grass mat, and a family member from the bride's side covers them with their blanket. They then get up, sing, and perform the Zulu dance in appreciation of the gifts.

The bride then gets up, takes the bed, and puts on the linen. She looks for the groom and places grass mats for him to walk on, which lead to the bed. He first sits on the bed, and the bride acts as if she is washing his feet. She then opens the bed covers, and he lies on it.

Competitive dancing and singing

The bride's family will perform the Ingoma, a dance usually performed for transition ceremonies, accompanied by the vibrant singing typical of Zulu culture. The men and women will be dressed in their traditional attire. The bride herself will wear bags of pebbles on her feet to create a rhythm as she dances. She will also perform a solo dance, kicking her feet up to show her mother that she is a proud virgin.

The groom's family will perform the Indlamu, a war dance derived from the warriors' dances of the past. This dance is performed by men of any age wearing skins, headrings, ceremonial belts, ankle rattles, shields and weapons. The Indlamu is less frantic than the Ingoma, showcasing muscular strength and control of weapons.

The two families will take turns to outdo each other with their dancing and singing, each trying to present a more beautiful performance than the other.

Slaughtering of cows

The slaughtering of cows is a significant part of a traditional Zulu wedding, with the animals being used in various rituals and ceremonies.

Firstly, the groom's family buys and slaughters a cow to welcome the bride into their home. The bride then puts money inside the stomach of the cow, symbolising that she is now part of the family.

The bride's family also slaughters a cow as a gift to the groom's family. This is known as 'Umkhehlo' or 'Umbondo' and is a way of saying thank you for bringing dignity to their daughter. The cow is usually the most expensive red cow out of all those brought to the bride's mother.

In addition, cows are used as dowry payments, with the groom's family paying lobola (bride price) in the form of cattle to the bride's family. The number of cows is determined through negotiations between the two families, with the bride's father and uncles typically driving up the price. These cows serve as a source of financial support for the bride and any children she may have if something happens to her husband.

During the wedding ceremony, two bull cows are slaughtered, and their bile is spilled onto the bride, confirming that she now belongs to the groom's family.

Cows are also slaughtered during other rituals and ceremonies in the lead-up to the wedding. For example, during the Umemulo ceremony, which celebrates a girl coming of age, a cow is slaughtered to signify that she is now ready for marriage. Similarly, during the Ukugcaga ceremony, where the bride stays with the groom's family for a period before the wedding, a cow is slaughtered to welcome her.

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