A Muslim Wedding

Sunday afternoon I had the opportunity to go to a wedding. This was my first personal invitation to a Muslim wedding, and I was very excited to see how all the parts worked together. The formal cultural engagement (this is the time when the two families sit down, and the young man pays the bride price) occurred at 9:00am in the morning. Unfortunately this was the same time that my family would be heading to church, so I had to miss out. But, after church I had the opportunity to attend the after engagement and the more modern time of the wedding party. This is the time where the community comes to welcome the bride and groom, and give them their gifts.

The first thing that happens when a person goes to this kind of wedding, is the greeting of the bride. (I did not get to greet the groom, he must have been taking care of a few last minute things). The bride was located in a small room off the main courtyard. Here she is surrounded by her sisters. They make sure to allow everyone time to greet the new bride. Each person complements the bride, wishers her good fortune, plenty of children (hopefully sons), and the opportunity to be a good wife!
The bride has prepared for at least two days for her wedding. (Many Ghanaian Muslims are not strict followers of the Hadeth, so there women are not forced to cover their faces. Most are content if the women only wearing some form of covering on the head).
In Northern Ghana many of the Muslims tribes follow the culture of painting the bride hands and body on the wedding day. They first rub the skin with henna. This makes the skin a very bright reddish brown. Then they take a black dye called 'kohl', and begin to draw designs on the body. Modern times have added new things to these. Now many have fake nails applied and have their hair breaded or woven for the wedding.

After greeting the bride it is time to move to the compound of the house. This space is filled with women and children. They have a tent set up to block the sun. Some women are making food for the celebration, others are complementing the mother. Still others are just sitting around talking and laughing. The place is a sea of head coverings, brightly colored clothes, and children.

Here are a few pictures of some of the babies, children, and women in the inner courtyard.

Inusah's mother. She is the third wife of her second husband.

After greeting everyone inside and eating some food with Inusah in his room, (I think I forgot to mention, the wedding was for Inusah's younger half-sister) our group of guest headed outside. On the street outside the house, there are two large tents set up. There is a long table covered in white fabric and large speakers playing very loud music.This music serves to entertain everyone and to tell the community that a special event is happening. Under the tent all the men are sitting. Waiting. They are talking and fellowshipping. Also with these men are the other guest, ones that are not so close to the family that they are allowed to remain inside after greeting the bride. Overall the outside is filled with patient, as everyone waits for the groom to return, and for the celebration to begin.

The party will last most of the day. Their will be dancing. (Strict Muslims, will only allow the men to dance with the men and women with woman). There will be eating, singing, and mostly likely a little drinking. Though Muslims are not supposed to drink, many men will sneak off to the local bars and drink. So will fill their hand washing pots with local brewed liquor, and while some go off to pray, will drink the contents. Overall a few will be drunk by night, and after many hours the bride and groom will leave to their house.

For our little group, the wedding ended quickly. After greeting, eating, and giving gifts, it was time to go. It did open up some good chances to talk to a few of our young people about Biblical dancing. So after a time of teaching, this tired broni headed home to get ready for evening service.