Ethiopia is a country with a rich cultural heritage that is evident in its wedding celebrations. Some of the Ethiopian wedding traditions that are common to most of the tribes in Ethiopia are listed below.
- Dinner at the Groom’s
- The dinner at the groom’s family’s home comes after the wedding ceremony ends. It is hosted by his parents for close family and friends to unwind after a long day.
- Name Reading
- After taking photos with each of the guests at the wedding, the couple is led to the stage for their first dance as man and wife. They are then joined by family and guests.
- At this point, the band receives congratulatory messages from family and friends who are not present at the wedding. Each person’s name is called out and their message is read out loud to the couple.
- Kelekel
- Kelekel is one of the most common Ethiopian wedding traditions. It is a get-together for extended family members who missed the wedding.
- At the function, held on the third day after the wedding, the parents of the newlyweds congratulate and bless their children before they leave for their new home.
- This is also the last time for family members to meet and mingle until the next wedding.
- Meles
- Meles is a post-wedding function that takes place on another day after the wedding, or later in the evening on the same day of the wedding. It may also take place on the night of the wedding day.
- This wedding tradition has the newlyweds dressing up in a traditional outfit called the ‘Kabu’ and going to a venue where their parents are hosting this event.
- Here, the family goes through a traditional bread-cutting program where, after cutting the bread, the mother of the bride gives her daughter a nickname that everyone will use in relation to the wedding.
- Ceremonial Proposal and Dowry Negotiation
- This wedding tradition has the groom’s family and elders going to the bride’s house to formally ask for her hand in marriage.
- Some families may opt to use a ‘Shemagele’ (old man, wise man, or close friend) to act as a mediator between the two families.
- The groom’s family then negotiates with the bride’s family on the amount of dowry to be paid. The dowry is a symbolic gesture of the groom’s ability to care for the bride.
- Arranged Marriages
- Arranged marriages are common in Ethiopian wedding traditions. The parents of the bride and groom arrange for the couple to get married without any input from either the bride or groom.
- Bridal Pickup/Groom’s Arrival
- The groom prepares himself at home together with his groomsmen, while the bride and her bridesmaids prepare themselves at the bride’s family home.
- The groom and his entourage then head to the bride’s home, where they find everyone ready. The people at the bride’s home then go outside singing a traditional song saying they will not let anyone into the house.
- The groom then begs them to let him in. They finally do so after a back-and-forth conversation amidst joy and singing. The groom presents his bride-to-be with flowers which she accepts with a hug and a kiss.
- Telosh
- Telosh is a pre-wedding function in the bride’s family home that takes place two days before the wedding. During this function, the groom’s family is invited to shower the bride with gifts that include a wedding gown and jewelry.
- After they have finished giving their gifts, the other guests then present their gifts to the bride.
- Engagement
- In Ethiopia, the engagement ceremony takes place during the wedding! After the wedding lunch has been served, the couple goes to the section of the wedding hall set aside for cutting the cake.
- The engagement ceremony starts with the exchange of rings, then the cutting of cake followed by opening the champagne.
- As the guests are served with a piece of cake and a glass of champagne, the bride throws gift parcels filled with sweets to the guests. The couple then return to their seats of honor.
- Knee Kissing
- Knee kissing is one of the more interesting Ethiopian wedding traditions. It comes right after the photo shoot.
- The great-grandparents and grandparents of the couple dress in traditional clothes and wait for the bride and groom to go to where they are sitting. The couple then thank them and bow to kiss their knees, after which they receive blessings for health and prosperity.
Here are some other interesting wedding traditions that are specific to particular tribes.
Oromo Wedding Dress
- According to Oromo wedding traditions, the Oromo wedding dress varies depending on the clan or region. It consists of:
- Dira – A long, flowing traditional Oromo dress that has intricate patterns and vibrant colors. The patterns have cultural significance.
- Siiqqee and Harke – The Oromo wedding dress is usually paired with a headscarf called a ‘Siiqqee’ and a chest covering called a ‘Harke’. Both of these are decorated with beads and embroidery.
- Henna – Every Oromo bride must complete her look with beautiful henna designs on her hands and other parts of the body.
- Jewelry – These include necklaces, bracelets, or earrings made from silver, gold, or colorful beads.
Amhara Wedding Quotes
The people of the Amhara region love to use poetry to express their culture and traditional celebrations. An Amhara wedding poem depicts the beauty of true love in the context of Amharic culture. Here are some quotes that may feature in an Amhara wedding poem.
- “May your lives together be as strong and enduring as the ancient mountains of the Amhara region.”
- “May your marriage be a true reflection of the harmony found in traditional Amhara music with each note representing a perfectly blended moment of joy and love.”
- “As you exchange vows, may the blessings of the elders and the wisdom of the centuries past guide the rest of your years together.”
- “May your union be blessed with the warmth of the Ethiopian sun and surrounded by the comforting Ethiopian wind.”
- “May your marriage be as harmonious as the sky and earth, blending like the perfect unity of morning and evening.”
Somali Wedding Dirac
- The Somali dirac is a long, flowing dress worn by Somali women during special occasions. The wedding dirac, in particular, is a long, light dress made of cotton or polyester and decorated with patterns and signs that are unique to the bride.
- The dirac is a free-size, 3-piece set that is paired with a headscarf called a ‘garbasaar’ and elaborate jewelry.
Tigray Wedding Songs
Every Tigray wedding ceremony must have Tigray wedding songs! Here is a list of the top 10 Tigray wedding songs.
- Yibel Mewsbo by Filmon Bekele
- Abea Enahalkune by Kinfe Teklay
- Rihus Egri by Tsegalul Hailemariam
- Semirulom by Zemen Alemseged
- Hezi Beli by Fiseha Hailay
- Weniye Weni by Milaw Tesfay
- Sanday by Asefa G/Michael
- Niesnet by Desla Gebrekidan
- Maza Zelewo Geza by Kibram Birhane
- Bela by Kibran Birhane
Gurago Wedding Ceremony
Let’s delve into the Gurago wedding culture with a look at the Gurago wedding ceremony below.
- Preparation and Arrangement
- This stage involves matchmaking and dowry negotiations. The parents take the initiative to identify spouses for their children and arrange for them to get married. After the ‘selection’ takes place, the two families meet to discuss dowry and wedding expenses.
- Engagement Ceremony
- In Gurago wedding culture, the engagement ceremony involves the exchange of gifts followed by a formal announcement of the upcoming wedding.
- Dowry Exchange and Gifts
- The groom’s family gives dowry in the form of money, livestock, clothing, and other items of value to the bride’s family.
- After this is complete, both families exchange gifts to strengthen the newly formed bond between them.
- Ceremonial Events
- These include traditional rituals where prayers, symbolic gestures, and blessings from elders take place.
- Religious ceremonies also take place depending on whether the family is Christian or Muslim.
- The Wedding Day
- For the Gurago, the wedding day is one of feasting and celebration. Family and friends share a meal and celebrate the newest couple in town.
- No celebration for the Gurago is complete without dance and music!
- Gurago Wedding Attire
- The bride and groom wear traditional Gurago wedding outfits that are colorful and decorated with embroidery, reflecting the true essence of Gurago wedding culture.
- Community Involvement
- For the Gurago, a wedding is a community affair! The community is heavily involved in every wedding, offering moral and financial support where required.
- Post-wedding Rituals
- Once the wedding is over, the homecoming ritual takes place. For example, there is a ritual associated with the bride’s arrival at her new home.
Ethiopian wedding traditions make weddings unique, vibrant, exciting, and colorful! Just what the bride and groom need before they start their life together!