African Wedding Traditions
Tasting the Four Elements. Originated with the Yoruba people in Togo, Nigeria, and Benin—the bride and groom tastes four different flavors. Sour, which is the lemon. Hot and spicy, which is the cayenne. Sweet, which is the honey. Bitterness, which is the vinegar. The flavors represent the four stages that take place in a marriage. The couples taste them together to show they will remain steadfast and united through these stages. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Jumping the Broom. During the slave days of the Antebellum South in America, enslaved couples could not legally marry. Together, they would jump over the broom to symbolize their union. The broom consists of flowers, ribbons, and cowrie shells. The shells are symbols of health and fertility.
Kola Nuts. The Kola Nut represents healing due to its medicinal qualities. Today, the Kola Nut is a unifying symbol for couples and their families. For some African couples, sharing it is demonstrated during engagement celebrations to implore fertility.
Libation. The libation tradition originated with West African tribes. Couples will pour wine (or other alcoholic drinks), honey, olive oil, grain, etc, at the altar. They’re poured while prayers and toasts are recited in a way to connected with their ancestors.
Money Spray. Nigerian and Filipino couples practice this on their big day. Guests will toss cash at the couple and call it a “money spray”. The couple will celebrate by dancing to traditional music. Alot of couples are blessed with having to acquire assistance to gather the money. By the end of the night, the newlyweds have a great amount of funds to start their life together.
Crossing Sticks. The couple will each hold a branch of a tree and cross them while reciting a prayer. The trees are symbols of a family that’s grounded, united, and strong. In order for the branches to have personal meaning, the branches can come from their homes or from a place that is special to the couple.