Umshado

Becoming Mrs

In the Nazareth Baptist Church (Shembe) way of life, a young man approaches the girl through her leader in church to ask for her hand in marriage. If the girl agrees, the young man will send biscuits and cool drinks to her. Then the procedure of sending a delegation to the girl’s home to ask for her hand in marriage begins. After this, the couple have to go to the main church or temple for blessings that they are both ready to be husband and wife and they are going to respect each other according to the laws of the church. This is done before the white wedding. On this day, they both have to wear their traditional attires. Getting these blessings does not permit them to engage in sexual activities, they are encouraged not to until all the proceedings are done. On the day of their wedding, the bride will dance in the yard of her husband’s home. She will be covered on her shoulders with a navy blue cloth to symbolise that she is a virgin.

#ReligionMeetsCulture #ZuluGirl #Umshado #BecomingMrs

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