Introduction

This report is going to talk about Traditional Somali Wedding. There are so many different ways of getting married in Somalia. Weddings are very important in Somalia as well as other countries.

Arranged marriage

First, a long time ago Somali people have arranged marriages although now there is a big difference because of the new generation. However, there is still arranged marriages happening even though it depends what the people want, for example some of them want to have an arranged marriage but some don’t. The arranged marriage is like this, first the family of the groom go to the girls house and look a few different times in case if the girl is good or bad. After that the groom’s family decides with themselves whether they like her or not privately. If they like the girl they ask the girls parents that they want to arrange a marriage to their son. It actually takes a few days to answer the question because first they discus with the family members especially the girls grandfathers and grandmothers also uncles and aunties. After that the answer will be yes or no, if yes that’s good news for the groom’s family and if not that’s simple because they can move on. That’s all about the way Somali people can arrange marriages.

Engagement

Engagement time is when two people come together and are married informally, meaning that they aren’t living with each other yet. The engagement in any case is always arranged between the girl’s parents or guardians because it’s part of the religion. At that time the family of the groom give presents that represents many thanks for helping their son find a daughter. Next, the families of both the groom and bride have a small party with family members and friends even though it may be only a few people.

Gift

There is a special gift that comes from the groom’s family. Giving that gift is very important in the Somali culture and it’s the bride’s gift that is a heckles, earrings, armlet, ring, cloths, and etc.

Ceremony

On the day before the ceremony the bride’s have traditional paint painted both on the palms and feet’s and her bridesmaids, including beautiful hairstyles. After that both the girls stay away from the bride’s house because there is a lot of people and the bride might be very shy to go to inside so that’s why she stays at her friends house until the evening. Next, the party begins when the Sheikh comes together with groom’s family for the bride’s house and there is a special place that they can set together which is decorated so beautifully. Then all the people start eating together even though there is different place between men and women. Finally the Sheikh gives a lecture for the people and makes pray for the groom and bride and after the celebrations are done with the newly married couple go off to live their new lives as one.

Finally

This report is all about Traditional Somali weddings. There are many different ways of getting married in Somalia. Also it’s practically the Islamic laws of marriage. However, the engagement is always arranged by the parent’s in most cases the bride’s parents.