African Wedding Noises: Cultural Sounds Of Celebration

Weddings are a time for celebration, and African weddings are no exception. In fact, weddings are the largest social gatherings in African immigrant communities, with festivities lasting for days. With so much joy and happiness, it's no surprise that there are some unique noises and sounds associated with African weddings. From the lively music and dancing to the more traditional rituals, African weddings are full of excitement and energy.

Ululation: A long, wavering, high-pitched vocal sound practised in many parts of Africa to express strong emotion during weddings

Ululation is a long, wavering, high-pitched vocal sound practised in many parts of Africa to express strong emotion during weddings. It is also practised in the Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and as far east as Central and South Asia. The sound, resembling a howl, is produced by emitting a high-pitched loud voice with a rapid back-and-forth movement of the tongue and the uvula.

Ululation is an integral part of most African weddings, with women gathering around the newlyweds, dancing and ululating exuberantly. It is a general sound of good cheer and celebration, used to give praise and express joy. In some cultures, ululation is also performed during other significant life events, such as births, graduations, and other festivals.

The practice goes by different names in various African languages: in Somali, ululation is known as 'Alalaas'; in Hausa, it is 'guda'; in Zulu, 'lilizela'; in Xhosa, 'ukuyiyizela'; in Tsonga, 'nkulungwani'; and in Northern SiNdebele, 'ukubulula'.

In Ethiopia and Eritrea, ululation, called 'ililta', is part of the Christian religious ritual in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and some Ethiopian Evangelical Churches. In Tanzania, ululation is known as 'vigelegele' in Swahili and 'udhalili' in the Luo dialect. In East Africa, ululation is widely practised in Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, and Malawi, among other countries.

Ululation is also practised in some Native American tribes, such as the Lakota, the Apache, and the Cherokee, as a war cry.

Knocking on the door: A traditional Ghanaian custom where the groom knocks on the door of the bride's home and waits to be let in

In Ghana, the "knocking" ceremony, also known as "kokooko" or "Opon-akyi bo", is a traditional pre-wedding ritual. This custom involves the family of the groom knocking on the door of the bride's family to inform them of their son's wish to marry their daughter. It serves as an introduction between the two families.

During the knocking ceremony, the groom's family presents gifts such as wine for libation, money, and kola nuts to the bride's family. They then announce their intentions and discuss the prospect of joining the two families through marriage.

Once the proposal is accepted, the bride is asked for her consent. She is asked three times by her father if she agrees to the proposal. If she consents, the knocking ceremony is considered a success, and the door is symbolically opened to welcome the groom and his family.

The knocking ceremony is a significant part of Ghanaian wedding traditions, and it is also prevalent in other West African countries like Nigeria and Cameroon. It is a ritual that brings the two families together and sets the stage for the rest of the wedding celebrations.

In addition to the knocking ceremony, Ghanaian weddings are filled with vibrant traditions, colourful attire, joyous music, and delicious food. The bride and groom dress in regal attire, often in matching outfits made of Kente cloth, a traditional fabric native to the Ashanti tribe of Ghana. The ceremony includes the presentation of gifts and dowry, with the groom's family bringing items like yams, tobacco, schnapps, jewellery, and money. The bride's family also performs background checks on the groom and his family to ensure he comes from a good family and is suitable for their daughter.

The actual wedding ceremony usually takes place at the bride's home, with music, dancing, and feasting. The bride makes a grand entrance, adorned with beads and Kente cloth, and is paraded for all to see and admire her beauty. After the ceremony, there is a reception with more food, music, and dancing. The bride and groom greet their guests, give wedding favours, and celebrate with their loved ones.

Ghanaian weddings are a joyous celebration of love, family, and culture, with the knocking ceremony being a pivotal moment that initiates the union of two families.

Tasting of the Four Elements: A Yoruba ritual where the couple tastes four flavours—cayenne, lemon, vinegar, and honey—to represent the distinct stages within a marriage

In Africa, weddings are a time to go all out and ensure the day is memorable. Traditions vary across the continent, but one common ritual is the "Tasting of the Four Elements", a ceremony with roots in the culture of the Yoruba tribe, present in countries like Nigeria, Niger, and Benin. This ritual is also practised by Black Americans, Canadians, and Caribbeans as a way to honour and reconnect with their African roots.

During the ceremony, the couple tastes four flavours: cayenne, lemon, vinegar, and honey. Each flavour represents the distinct stages and emotions that the couple will experience throughout their marriage.

First, they taste the lemon, which represents the sourness or disappointments that the couple will face. Next, they sip vinegar, symbolising the bitterness of fights and trying times. The third flavour is cayenne, a spicy element that signifies the passion in the relationship. Finally, the couple tastes honey, which symbolises the sweetness and joy that marriage will bring.

By participating in this ritual, the couple demonstrates their ability to stand fast in their relationship no matter what challenges arise. It is a promise to love and support each other "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health". The ritual is usually accompanied by words from the officiant, who explains the meaning of each flavour and guides the couple through their journey.

Henna ceremonies: A pre-wedding ritual in Kenya and Tanzania where the bride and her female companions decorate their bodies with henna

Henna ceremonies are a pre-wedding ritual in Kenya and Tanzania where the bride and her female companions decorate their bodies with henna. This ritual is also practised in other parts of Africa and the Middle East, and is known as a henna party or henna night.

Among the Swahilis in Kenya and Tanzania, the henna ceremony is a celebration that can last anywhere from two days to a week. It involves several rituals such as bathing and perfuming the bride, hairdressing, and decorating the body with henna. Female family members and friends also take part in this ritual by applying henna to various parts of their bodies, including arms, legs, and feet. The ceremony is usually accompanied by songs and prayers for the newlyweds, with older family members offering advice and emotional support to the bride.

In Tanzania, ululation—a long, wavering, high-pitched vocal sound resembling a howl—is often performed during weddings as a celebratory cheer. Women typically yell "lililili" in high-pitched voices, and young girls take pride in being able to ululate like their mothers and aunts.

The henna ceremony is a significant rite of passage for the bride, marking her transition from girlhood to wifehood and her separation from her family as she moves into her husband's home. It reflects the social order and hierarchy and communicates the community's social expectations and messages to the bride. The ceremony also serves to strengthen family bonds and bring the two families together.

During the henna ceremony, the bride is dressed in elaborate and magnificent traditional attire, often consisting of multiple layers of clothing and heavy jewellery. The dressing ritual is performed by an expert dresser or an "attendant" chosen by the bride's parents. The groom's family typically provides the bride's dress and jewellery as a romantic gesture and a symbol of the barter relationship between the families.

The henna ceremony is a joyous occasion filled with singing and dancing. Professional singers perform a repertoire of songs that praise the bride's beauty, detail her attributes, and offer blessings for her future life as a wife and mother. The songs also express the bride's emotions as she leaves her family and familiar surroundings to begin a new life with her husband.

The henna ceremony has evolved over time, adapting to changing social and economic conditions. While it was once a community event that could last up to a week, it is now typically held on the evening before the wedding and may only be attended by close relatives and friends. The location has also shifted from the bride's home to a wedding hall, allowing for the invitation of guests from different ethnic groups.

The actual ritual of applying henna has also undergone changes. While it was traditionally applied only to the bride, today it is common for both the bride and groom to have their hands and feet adorned with henna. The designs and patterns used in the henna artwork have been influenced by the cultural exchange and commercial ties between the Swahili coast and the Arabian Peninsula.

Money dance: A generous tradition where guests toss cash at the couple, who then dance to traditional music

Money Dance: A Generous Tradition

The money dance, also known as the dollar dance, money spray, or apron dance, is a tradition at many wedding receptions across the world. It is a way for guests to shower the newlyweds with money or pin it to their clothing as they dance together. This custom is believed to have originated in several countries and cultures, including Poland, Greece, Nigeria, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Portugal, Cuba, Latin America, Mexico, Eastern Europe, and the United States. The money dance is a fun and celebratory part of the wedding reception, bringing joy and financial blessings to the couple as they start their new life together.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, the money dance is known as the "money spray." This tradition is especially popular among the Yoruba people in the country's Southwest region. During the money spray, guests encircle the bride and groom on the dance floor and place bills on their foreheads, allowing the money to "rain down" on them. The money is then collected by "collectors" and placed in bags for the couple. The money spray symbolises a showering of happiness, good fortune, and the guests' affection for the couple.

The Philippines

In Filipino weddings, male guests line up in front of the bride to pin money on her dress, while female guests do the same with the groom. Guests can get creative with the pinning, forming garlands or crowns of money or letting it stream down the couple's clothing. This process can take some time, especially if there are many guests, and is often accompanied by traditional music and dancing.

Portugal

The Portuguese money dance traditionally involved male guests dancing with the bride. Today, however, bridesmaids and female guests also join in the fun and dance with the groom. The father of the bride usually starts the dance with his daughter, while the groom's mother dances with her son. The bride removes her shoes and places them in the middle of the dance floor, and guests pass them around to collect money.

Greece

In smaller Greek villages, there is a similar tradition of pinning money to the bride's dress during a special dance. In America, Greek-American communities have adapted this tradition into a money shower, where guests toss wads of bills towards the couple as they dance.

Other Cultures

The money dance is also practised in Louisiana, with roots in Cajun culture. Traditionally, guests would pin money to the bride's veil, but today, the groom is also included, and the dance is accompanied by lively Cajun music.

While the specifics of the money dance vary across cultures, the underlying sentiment remains the same: to shower the newlyweds with financial blessings and good wishes for their future together. It is a joyous and memorable part of the wedding reception, uniting the couple with their loved ones in a unique and interactive way.

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