Intimate avaThis is the most intimate part of a wedding and, in all times, there were specific traditions regarding the first wedding night. Like guests watching the consummation or inspecting the sheets for blood or the right of the first night, etc. But these are mostly European traditions – what about African first wedding night traditions? Are they much different? Actually, there are some really unique and astonishing intimate wedding customs in Africa.


Sleep with bride’s aunt first

In the Ugandan Banyankole tribe, there is a tradition for the bride’s aunt to test the groom sexually before the wedding. The aunt has to see if her niece’s future husband does everything right and has no problems with potency. Of course, there is logic in it – some of our ancestors for sure suffered from such a problem as marrying a man who was impotent and having no way of divorcing him. But sleeping with your relative’s groom is a bit too much, isn’t it?


Lift a leg to show virginity

A Zulu tribe has another strange intimate wedding tradition – the bride performs a ceremonial dance during the wedding ceremony in front of the groom’s family and her own relatives. This performance symbolizes the bride’s transition from her family to her husband’s. The bridesmaids dance with her, but one part of the dance is performed solo – she lifts one leg up high to show her mother that she’s still a virgin. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how a mother is supposed to understand that from just the look. But maybe this is more of a symbolic act.


Witness under the bed

The Swahili people often have arranged marriages, so the couple doesn’t see each other before the wedding. The bride gets a mentor, an older married relative who will help her prepare for her married life and teach her everything the bride will need to know. On the first wedding night, this mentor hides under the bed to make sure the marriage is consummated and the bride doesn’t resist her new husband. In the morning, this mentor usually takes the sheets with virgin blood and shows them to people as proof. After that, the couple is left alone and isolated for 7 days to enjoy their intimate life together.


Several couples consummate the marriage together

The Berber people may (not always but it is common and considered the norm) organize a wedding for several couples on the same day and consummate the marriage on the same night. Of course, every couple sleeps only with each other, no group consummation is possible. But their first wedding night is a common experience and they spend it in the same space. For 5 days, the couples stay together, make love, and support each other in their first steps as a married couple. This tradition strengthens the small society and makes its members closer to each other.


No blood, get a refund

In Ethiopia, during the consummation, there has to be blood. The bride has to be a virgin. Many arranged marriages are held in this country and the groom pays a large dowry to the bride and her family. If on the first wedding night, there is no blood on the sheet, the groom can return the bride to her parents and get a refund of dowry.


Bridesmaids check the virginity

In Morocco, the bridesmaids’ responsibility is in preparing the bride for her wedding night, checking her virginity, and witnessing her losing it to her new husband. Well, it might be easier for the bride if her girl-friends watch and check her than strange people or relatives, so why not?


Light a candle after consummation

In Tunisia, there is a tradition for the groom to light a candle after the consummation. It means that the bride was a virgin and has lost it to him. The wedding guests don’t watch the intimate act, thankfully, but await for the candle to be lit. They cheer and congratulate the couple after seeing this little light. This custom is even romantic in a way.

You have no rights to post comments