The Oromo, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, have a vast and rich culture. The Oromo community attaches great social significance to the marriage ceremony, as it is the most important day in the life of the bride and groom. In fact, for the man, the first wedding ceremony (polygamy is acceptable) is the most important of all.
Oromo Wedding Traditions
Below is a list of the six types of marriages unique to Oromo wedding traditions.
- Naqataa (Betrothal)
- This is a form of marriage arranged by the parents of the bride and groom. The groom’s parents first search for a suitable bride for their son, do research to make sure there are no blood relations, and then make contact with the potential bride’s family through a mediator.
- After receiving the mediator and hearing what he has to say, the girl’s parents impose a set of conditions to be fulfilled before the next meeting. Both sets of parents then gather at a mutually convenient location for further negotiations. Once they agree, the couple gets engaged (betrothed). The parents then set a wedding date, and cover all the wedding expenses. This form of marriage is the most common among the Oromo.
- Sabbat Marii
- According to Oromo wedding traditions, the Sabbat Marii is the second most common form of marriage. Referred to as a forceful marriage practised in a hurry, this form of marriage involves asking for a girl in marriage then breaching the appointment arrangements, or asking the girl for marriage without any prior arrangement.
- In the first instance, a day is set for the betrothal ceremony, but the boy’s parents secretly decide to prepare the wedding feast on an earlier date, thus breaching the agreement. In the second instance, the family of the girl has no prior knowledge of the impending marriage.
- Hawwii
- When a boy remains ‘qerroo’ (bachelor) for several reasons e.g. not being handsome or coming from a family of low social status, Oromo wedding traditions allow his parents to look for a wife for him. Interestingly, this form of marriage does not require consent from the girl or her family – the boy’s parents are completely in control. This type of marriage is common with poor Oromo families.
- Butii
- Butii usually takes place when the boy is rejected by the girl’s parents or the girl herself, or the bride wealth and wedding gifts he is asked for are unaffordable. In either of these instances, the boy opts to abduct the girl in two ways.
- First, the girl may consent to the abduction, and give details on how and where the abduction can take place. This abduction is common with poor families who cannot afford to pay large amounts of bride price. Second, the boy and his friends may arrange to abduct the girl without her knowledge.
- Aseennaa
- In this form of marriage, a woman who is unmarried and in her twenties ‘goes’ to her new home by herself. She chooses an unmarried young man and runs off to his house in the evening, without his knowledge, when his mother and other members of the household are not at home. Though he is obviously caught by surprise, he cannot reject the marriage for fear of being ostracized. The next day, the girl’s parents are informed that the marriage has taken place. This form of marriage is carried out by girls who are unmarried and under pressure to marry, or those who do not like their parents’ choice of marriage partner. Aseennaa is not very common these days.
- Dhaala
- This type of marriage, also known as ‘inheritance’, usually takes place between a woman and the brother of her deceased husband (levirate marriage). The sole purpose of this marriage is to preserve the children of the deceased man within the family and save them from mistreatment from a stepfather. Dhaala takes place at least a year after the husband’s death when the woman is given her deceased husband’s brother.
- This type of marriage depends on the number of children born to the couple, and how well she gets on with the parents of her deceased husband. If there are no children, she is free to return to her parents’ home and get married there.
Stepping into marriage is a big move, and when it’s wrapped in Oromo traditions, it’s not just about you and your partner. It’s about connecting with a long line of customs that have kept the community strong for generations. From the structured Naqataa to the unexpected Dhaala, each style of marriage has its own way of tying people together. It’s more than just a ceremony; it’s about joining a story that’s been unfolding for ages.
Think of your wedding as more than just a personal celebration. It’s a link in a chain that stretches back and forward in time, connecting families and the entire community. This is your moment to add to that legacy. So, as you take this step, remember it’s about more than just you two. It’s about being part of something bigger – the vibrant flow of Oromo wedding, life and culture. Cheers to a future where you keep these traditions alive, adding your own chapter to this ongoing story.
According to the Oromo culture, only betrothal is considered a formal type of marriage. All the rest are considered informal types of marriages, apart from Dhaala that is a marriage necessitated by circumstances. Each type of marriage is, however, an important part of Oromo wedding traditions.