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Ghanaian Traditional Marriage

by Ivy
A traditional Ghanaian marriage ceremony is a union between two families which
reflects African traditional wedding customs. In this ceremony, there is a totally unique
set of customs but the underlying sentiments of love, family and celebration are usually
the same.

To start the ceremony, important spokesmen from both sides of the family stage a
playful symbolic negotiating play. From the
bride’s side, the head of her clan or tribe who
is often the eldest relative from her father’s
side and the spokesman from her family will
sit on one side while the groom, the eldest
from his family and their spokesman sit on the
other. The two spokesmen are officially those
who speak on behalf of their families. The
groom’s family spokesman usually asks for the
bride’s hand in marriage.

Next, gifts are presented to the bride by the
groom and his family. This includes “Akonta
Sika” which is a symbolic token of money given to the bride’s siblings by the groom. The
bride receives a dowry which typically includes cooking utensils, jewellery, clothes,
makeup etc. These items are brought in a decorated trunk and presented to the bride.

Finally, a group of “fake brides” are presented to the groom to choose his wife from.
This is to ensure that, indeed, he knows the woman he is getting married to. The bride is
usually the last to come into the ceremony, and then the two are officially married.

Traditional Bridal Fashion:
Ghanaian brides usually wear traditional Kente cloth for their ceremony. Kente is the
traditional cloth of Ghana which is made in many beautiful
colours and patterns. The bride will also be adorned with
“Tekua”, a traditional crown to match her clothes. Gold
jewellery and colourful beads will also be on full display.

Guests from both sides of the families are usually free to
wear their traditional clothes, which is an opportunity to display full traditional attires.

After the ceremony, there is a party for both families with plenty of different varieties of
traditional foods, music and dancing.

Ivy, English Functional Skills, Poverest

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