Many changes have taken place on the African continent in recent 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 Shoshangane leadership 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 over until 1895.
After this, many of the Shangaans fled to the Transvaal, where they still inhabit the low-lying areas of the south today.
Shangaan girls are initiated into marriageable young women in a ceremony, which involves scarring the face and arms, after this initiation a period of freedom for courtship would follow. 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 host a banquet and give gifts to the girls’ parents, signifying that the marriage was complete. Sometimes the young man and the young woman would knot tall grasses 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, would leave her parents at home to join her husbands. She here she would be considered a minor member of the house under the instruction of her mother-in-law; only once the first child was born was she properly established. Polygamy was allowed and the husband would acquire a second wife to further secure the position of the first wife. The younger sister of the first wife was usually 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 young maidens who dance. They meet her future husband, who is accompanied by the three elders, her parents and siblings, with her young dancers.
Once they meet, the pair 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, a basket for her to keep the grain, and the necklace for the beauty. The woman gives the man a gourd for her beer, a beaded bracelet, a blanket, the woman presents her mother-in-law with a clay pot and beer.
After a jubilant dance, the procession moves on to the wedding hut, where the couple deposit their gifts, and Sangoma performs his 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 ‘Expression of Joy Dance’ and is joined by his father. The father of the bride joins in and the drum is beaten to announce the sacred matter.
A minister may then perform a standard wedding ceremony that is internationally recognized, or a traditional Shangaan ceremony may take place. If this option is chosen, the civil wedding must 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 located in the tribal village) of their choice for a reception or game drive and a romantic and intimate dinner and overnight stay.
The prices of transfer and lodging vary according to the choice of the Lodge and the number of guests.
Alternatively, invite local Shangaan people to dance and sing at your wedding, music and dance is a feature of their culture, it can incorporate drums, flutes and trumpets.
In Africa, the emphasis of marriage is on the union of two families and the transaction of the bride. However, the wealth involved did not just concern the couple, but formed large and sometimes complex webs of relationships within and between members of various families.