Christian Marriages in Ethiopia
Christian marriages are mainly in the Tigray and Amhara region in Ethiopia, and they are
often arranged by the parents of the bride and the groom with a great deal of
negotiation. According the Ethiopian Christian traditions the bride must be
virgin when marriage takes place. Virginity is highly valued, so therefore sex
before marriage for the bride is forbidden. One of the most important things
that takes place before the marriage is that the parents investigate five
generations among the bride and groom families to establish there is no blood
line. The Ethiopian culture has a huge impact. It plays a huge role on marriage
and it helps decrease the rate of divorce becuase most Ethiopians don't believe in divorce,
but rather they tend to work on their marriage problems.
Christian marriages are mainly in the Tigray and Amhara region in Ethiopia, and they are
often arranged by the parents of the bride and the groom with a great deal of
negotiation. According the Ethiopian Christian traditions the bride must be
virgin when marriage takes place. Virginity is highly valued, so therefore sex
before marriage for the bride is forbidden. One of the most important things
that takes place before the marriage is that the parents investigate five
generations among the bride and groom families to establish there is no blood
line. The Ethiopian culture has a huge impact. It plays a huge role on marriage
and it helps decrease the rate of divorce becuase most Ethiopians don't believe in divorce,
but rather they tend to work on their marriage problems.
The Role of the Mediator
1. The mediator, usually an elder in the community is sent to the parents of the bride.
2. The parents of the bride will impose the
conditions.
3. Then the mediator will take the message
to the groom's family.
4. The engagement date will be set.
5. If both sides agree, the wedding date will be decided, and preparation for the wedding will begin.
1. The mediator, usually an elder in the community is sent to the parents of the bride.
2. The parents of the bride will impose the
conditions.
3. Then the mediator will take the message
to the groom's family.
4. The engagement date will be set.
5. If both sides agree, the wedding date will be decided, and preparation for the wedding will begin.
The Wedding Ceremony
- There is a lot of dancing and music.
- Bride's parents give a dowry to the groom's parents, in most cases cattle or money.
- The honeymoon last between one week and three months depending on the wealth of the bride and groom.
- After the wedding celebration everyone spends time at the groom's house. After the honeymoon the groom and the bride stays the groom's house, and the best men of the groom accompany the groom.
- Lastly the bride is not allowed to be outside during the day time, but when the sun sets she is allowed to go outside and she have to be accompany by her best women.