Many changes have taken place in the African continent in the last centuries, however, there is still a history of tradition and culture. People are still willing to share the stories of their ancestors and although the culture has changed over time, the roots of the tradition still remain.
Let me introduce you to the people of Shangaan, with whom I have worked closely during my years in the Lowveld.
After the bloody defeat of the Ndwandwe clan at the hands of Shaka, King of the Zulu, three leaders, each with few followers, headed north to surprise and conquer the peaceful Tsonga people. One group under the leadership of Shoshangane remained between Thonga and Ndawu while the other two headed towards the Limpopo River. Shoshangane established an empire, which became known as Gaza, Tsonga became known as maShangana or “Shangaans”. Gazaland was the last surviving black empire in southern Africa and the Portuguese did not take it over until 1895.
After this, many of the Shangaan people fled to the Transvaal, where they still inhabit the southern low-lying areas today.
Shangaan girls are initiated into marriageable young women in a ceremony, which involves scarring the face and arms, after this initiation would follow a period of freedom for courtship. The marriage involved a contract between the families and an intermediary would visit the girl’s parents to make the arrangements.
If the parents approved of the couple, the messenger would receive a banquet and give gifts to the parents of the girls, signifying that the marriage was complete. Sometimes the young man and the young woman tied tall grasses together as a symbol of their love. Labola, the usual dowry would take the form of cattle, tools, baskets, beads, and once accepted, the bride’s parents would provide a banquet.
Along with a prayer to the ancestors, a goat would be sacrificed to ensure the favor is granted to the couple. The new wife, showing great reluctance, left her parents at home to join her husbands. She here she would be considered a lesser member of the house under the instruction of her mother-in-law; only after the first child was born did she establish herself properly. Polygamy was allowed, and the husband would acquire a second wife to further secure the position of the first wife. The first wife’s younger sister was normally the preferred choice.
Join the Shangaan tribe for a mock traditional wedding ceremony: the bride and groom arrive dressed in traditional attire, which is designed on their behalf. Three old women bring the bride to the village from her village, with their parents, sisters and dancing young maidens. They meet her future husband, who is accompanied by the three old men, her parents and brothers, with her young dancers.
Once they meet, the couple exchange gifts. The man hands the women a woven and beaded cloth, a basket of grass, and a beaded necklace. He blanket to tie the marriage, basket for her to keep the grain, and the necklace for beauty. The woman gives the man a gourd for her beer, a beaded bracelet, a blanket, the woman presents her father-in-law with a clay pot and beer.
After a jubilant dance, the procession moves to the bridal hut, where the couple deposit their gifts, and Sangoma perform their rituals of wishing the couple long life and many children. The woven cloth is then placed on the woman’s shoulders and they both move towards the sacred tree, which is usually located in the center of the village.
Each drinks from the gourd and follows a more jubilant dance. The groom performs his ‘Dance of Expression of Joy’ and is joined by his father. The father of the bride joins in and the drum is struck to announce the sacred affair.
A minister can then perform a standard wedding ceremony that is internationally recognized, or a traditional Shangaan ceremony can take place. If this option were chosen, the civil wedding would have to have taken place before the event.
Role players are provided: older men and women, as well as dancers. Family and friends of the couple may be included in the procession. Traditional wedding gifts are provided.
The couple can then be transferred to the Lodge (if in the tribal village) of their choice for a reception or safari and intimate romantic dinner and overnight stay.
The prices of transfer and accommodation vary according to the choice of the Lodge and the number of guests.
Alternatively, invite the local Shangaan people to dance and sing at your wedding, music and dancing are a feature of their culture, they may incorporate drums, flutes and trumpets.
In Africa, the emphasis of marriage is on the union of two families and the bride transaction. However, the wealth involved did not only concern the couple, but formed large and sometimes complex networks of relationships within and between members of various families.