Wedding traditions in Rwanda seems similar in many African regions with regards to spirit, but their tribes and ethnic groups are quite significant in details. Rwandan Wedding traditions has a strong significance in traditions because marriage links not only two people but also to their families and even the to the tribe they belong. Incorporating the customs and traditions in Rwandan wedding gives honor to their ancestors. However, aside from performing traditional rituals, couples can also use wedding symbols in ceremonial decorations and social status definitions. It is important that they understand the reason behind these traditions and the history of the traditions because this will enable couples to perform the traditions more sincerely.
In Rwanda, marriage has two steps – the traditional wedding and the civil or church wedding. With the traditional wedding, the couple has to get the consent of parents to allow them get married, meanwhile, with the the church or civil wedding, this is when the man and woman are officially united in matrimony.
The Rwandan Traditional Wedding is the more colorful and feastive part. This part of the wedding starts with the preparation of the bride. The bride is taken to the salon to get dressed traditional wear of Kinyarwanda, or that which is commonly known as mushanan. The mushanan is designed out of a silk material well matched with a long wrap skirt in addition to a sash that covers the shoulder. Most Rwandan woman love this attire. It is usually put on formal ceremony such as the weddings. The first wedding which is the traditional wedding is always held at an aunt’s residence. It is organized with tents, chairs along with a special tent for the bride that is designed with animal print material along with beautiful well decorated baskets and other handicraft. The tents are set up opposite the different families to enable them get to know each other. The Rwandan Traditional Wedding ceremony starts with the heads of the different families in particular men went ahead to discuss why really their children would get married. Then, families are introduced. Then, the exchange of presents follows. After this, the groom is introduced by the aunt to the congregation which was followed with the giving of dowry to the girl’s parents.
Traditionally, marriage in Rwanda would be marked by the presentation of a dowry. The dowry can be in the form of cows or agricultural tools by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. This exchange served to recognise the bride’s family’s efforts in raising their daughter and preparing her for marriage.
After the dowry, the bride is processioned, escorted by women with gourds of milk that is to be given to the groom’s family. Along the procession are traditional dancers. Another part of tradition is that four spear men have to guard the bride. After that the bride and groom meet, they are ashed in their special tent which shows that the two are now ready to be married formally in church or civil matrimony.
Totally that s true . . .
Hello thank you very much for the informatiom. I have been to Rwanda only as a vistor & i fell in love with the beauty of the country & the people and as luck can be i met abeautifil girl from rwanda now in uganda. We met in achurch i had visted & i fell in love with the girl but as i was planning to express my feelings & intentions to her i shared with afriend who has stayed both in uganda & rwanda for over 20yr. And he told me i risk my life. That as beautful as these girls are the opposite is true with their heart. In case of a mis understanding which may be innevitable for any relationship, pulling out aknife for you may be among her first thoughts. I kindly request for genuine unbiased opnions from any body who may have real life experience about what am talking about.
I don’t know who told you this, however he/she told you lies. If that was the case there wouldn’t be happy married couples in Rwanda.
The negative view he has of about Rwandan women is definitely an untrue and unfair. My guess is that your friend probably had a bad experience and decided all Rwandan women are that way. All Rwandan women are different. Some are kind, some are cruel, some are loving, some are hateful – each woman is unique. The best way to know about the woman you met is to get to know her better – spend time with her, meet her friends and family. Take your time. Marriage does not have to be rushed into.
I would love to visit a rwanda wedding can you inform me as to any close by me. I am in Oklahoma I have always admired your dance the women looks like antelope it tells a story and love to see one up close. The men looks like warriors with that head dress and the way they move their heads it’s so beautiful.