How are all of you lovely people doing?
For the last few posts, we have been focusing on the steps of the Ghanaian Traditional Wedding Celebration. We started with an overview of what the Koo koo ko aka knocking is. Then I provided you all with a sample dowry list. Now, who has been to a Ghanaian traditional marriage ceremony and had NO idea what was going on? Today, we are going to fix that!
Now you’re probably wondering why I called it a marriage and not an engagement. MINI RANT: As I have said in the past, the ceremony to perform the traditional marital rites is a wedding! They are NOT an engagement, as it is colloquially called. Back in the day, this ceremony marked the beginning of two families coming together and served as the wedding. In the present day, we also infuse Western traditions into our celebrations which is absolutely beautiful as well, BUT you can choose to have only a traditional marriage ceremony or just a Western ceremony (white wedding).
DISCLAIMER: The below is just a sample program! Your program or flow of events may vary depending on your preferences or the person speaking on behalf of your family.
Alrighty folks, see below for a sample program:
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Groom’s family enters and greets the bride’s family
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Groom may enter at this part
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Bride’s family gives grooms family water
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Bride’s family then greets grooms family
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Opening Prayer
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yes opening prayer can happen at the beginning of the program, but it’s nice to wait for both families to be present before sharing a word of prayer
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Speaker for bride’s side introduces members of the bride’s family and speaker for groom’s family introduces the grooms family
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Speaker for bride’s side asks for the reason for the visit
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Groom’s family tells the reason for their visit often citing the knocking
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Dowry gifts are brought in
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Groom may also enter with his groomsmen and/or friends with the dowry gifts
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“Brides” are brought in (OPTIONAL)
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Many times, fake brides are brought out before the actual young lady comes out. This is to ensure the correct woman or correct flower is being wed to the man
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Real bride comes in
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Groom is asked to confirm that this is the bride
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Member of the groom’s family officially presents the dowry gifts
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Bride is asked by her family three times if they should accept gifts
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Bride’s Family officially accepts gifts
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Groom comes to “take” bride
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the bride will sit with him in their sweetheart area
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Prayer for couple
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if the couple has decided to only do a traditional marriage ceremony, this is where vows are exchanged and the marriage is blessed
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Two people from each side of the family give advice to the couple (OPTIONAL)
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Closing Prayer
Now here are a few FAQs
What attire does the bride/groom wear?
Generally, they wear outfits that incorporate kente cloth. Kente was traditionally worn by kings but has now become a cloth worn for various celebrations including weddings.
Is there a dress code for guests?
No there isn’t a predetermined dress code for guests. This may vary based on the couple. A recent trend has been for guests to wear all white while the couple wears colorful kente. Once again, all-white is not a rule. It is a trend.
*cover photo from https://bibiinvitations.com/products/me-dowapaa-ghanaian-traditional-wedding-invitation
That’s it for now! If you have some questions that I haven’t answered, please don’t hesitate to ask! Share this post with a friend, as well!
Don’t forget to check out The Ghanaian Traditional Wedding Checklist before the big day to ensure that you have dotted all of your I’s and crossed all of your T’s!
Toodles for now, SugarBees! <3
