Memories of a Zulu Traditional Wedding...
By RayD
@Mbalie (316)
South Africa
January 7, 2016 1:59am CST
I was browsing through my photos this morning and came across these beautiful memories from my sister's wedding. This was during her Zulu Wedding traditional ceremony.
We are all wearing Zulu traditional attire. Ladies or young girls who on not married yet, wear a beaded band around their head. A married woman wears a hat called "Isicholo", its a symbol of respect, honour and shows that she has entered womanhood. She also wears a cape over her shoulders as a form of respect for the Elders in the family.
Good times we had.
14 people like this
16 responses
@Mbalie (316)
• South Africa
10 Jan 16
In our culture when a couple is dating and the man wants to ask for the ladies hand in marriage. He first has a conversation with his partner about his intention of wanting to marry her and that he would like to go to her family and ask for her hand in marriage. If she agrees, she then speaks to her family about her partners request and the ladies family sets a date of when her boyfriend and his uncle's can come and to speak to her family.
The two families then meet and the guy"s uncles then have the platform to state his intentions and ask the lady's father and family for permission to marry their daughter. This is called "Umcelo". On that same day if the lady"s family agree they then discuss and negotiate what is called "Lobola" which is the Bride Price. It is custom to pay in cows or money for your future wife. It is not that you buying your fiance, Its just custom and a token of appreciation that her family raised her well. A date is then set for the "Lobola" payments. Once Lobola is paid and other gifts have been sent by the man"s family to the lady's family it is then the lady's turn to buy gifts and take it with her family to her fiance"s family. During all this visits small celebrations are held at the respective family homes to celebrate the merging of two families.
After all this a wedding date is set. The wedding process normally runs over two days. The first day is the Western-White wedding celebration and on day two you have the Zulu Wedding were we wear our cultural clothes. Its a huge celebration with a lot of customs conducted on that day.
Sorry for the long explanation, but Zulu Weddings are a long process full of festivities, song and dance.
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
8 Jan 16
I saw a Zulu dance troop perform at a convention a few years ago - they were fantastic - I should imagine the wedding was lovely
1 person likes this
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
7 Jan 16
Very nice picture. Wonderful tradition. *be well*
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (162111)
• United States
10 Jan 16
Lovely memories. Thanks for sharing some of the habits of your place. I like that some things are done out of respect.
@ria1606roy (2797)
• Kolkata, India
10 Jan 16
Wow it's amazing. I love to know about other traditions and customs. You are looking so sweet in the picture. I have heard of Zulu weddings and traditions, and would like to see one.
@sammyflowerboy (126)
• Nairobi, Kenya
11 Jan 16
I like how you people have maintained your traditions. I like the traditional dances but for us here we have lost most of the traditions, you can only find then in the theatres
@Scindhia (1906)
• India
7 Jan 16
Great picture and information about Zulu weddings. Such memories always bring a smile :)
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
9 Jan 16
You should write more about Zulu traditions. I'm interested in learning about other cultures and I'm sure others would be too. Your post was very intriguing. Do you speak another language besides English?
