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Traditional Zulu Wedding

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Traditional Zulu Wedding
Cultural activity
Sunday, September 8, 2013
8:51 PM
Traditional Zulu Wedding (Umabo)
Being invited to a wedding, could it be traditional or western, it is always an honor.
A Zulu traditional wedding (umabo) usually takes place after the white weeding. It believed that you are not fully married if umabo has not been done according to the Zulu tradition. In a Zulu culture there are many rituals that are done before one is fully married and umabo is the final stage . The first step is lobola, which is a long process and cant be done in one day, then izibizo where gifts are brought to the brides mother and close family, followed by umbondo where groceries are brought for the grooms family. The final stage is the wedding, white and or traditional (umabo). Before the wedding even if there will be a white wedding the family of the bride slaughters a goat for her and burn essence (impepho) this is to inform the ancestors that their daughter will soon be the member of another family. After the wedding the grooms family slaughters yet another goat to welcome the bride in their home. Umabo takes place at the grooms family house, the bride brings with her some furniture and gifts for her new family. She wears her traditional attire, isidwaba which is made from the cows skin for married women, isihcolo she wears to over her head it is also for married women and she covers her shoulders.
The brides sits on the grass mat and must look down at all times to show respect for her new family. Her father in law welocmes the bride to the family before the ceremony begins and the biological father of the bride says a few words to indicate approval.

Umabo is a very impotant ritual in Zulu culture it brings to gether families in the process the bride is told what to do and how ti behave as a new wife. This tradition is the way that ancestors recpgnises the pride, it is believes that they bring good luck to to be bride.

The groom being given clothes and blankets
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