AFRICAN BRIDAL DRESSES

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ABOUT AFRICAN CULTURE

As a continent, African society is a mixture of culturally diverse traditions and rituals. In seeking to learn about African wedding traditions one must study each of the countries, regions, tribes, and cultures to fully understand what traditions are unique to which group and what traditions are not of African origin. Jumping the broom, for instance, is often mistaken for an African custom. Although it has some basis in African tradition and refers to sweeping away bad feelings or past wrongs, it is more commonly associated with the union of American slaves during a time when marriage was considered illegal. Jumping the broom is practiced almost exclusively in the United States.

While not the same, there are certain similarities that can be drawn between some of the African cultures regarding weddings. As a whole, African weddings are known to be family affairs, and are often not only dependent on the relationship between the man and woman, but on family input and approval as well. Marriages in Africa are strongly dictated by religious influences. Many Northern African marriages are decided by their Muslim faith, while other regions follow the traditions set by their ethnic religions, Christianity, Judaism or Hinduism. Yet another similar tradition in many parts of Africa, is the paying of a dowry prior to marriage. In South Africa, for instance, this is referred to as lobola and is a gift of cattle or money given to the father of the bride.HERE AFRICAN BRIDAL DRESSES ACCORDING TO TEIR CULTURE AND FASHION ARE BEEN ADDED