9 Important Requirements for a Ghana Traditional Wedding

Top Requirements for a Ghana Traditional Wedding!

• In Ghanaian culture, the traditional wedding ceremony is something that everyone looks forward to, as is symbolizes the legitimization of a marital relationship between a man and woman. As such, there are items that the groom is required to present to the bride’s family at the wedding. Check out the most common Ghana traditional wedding requirements below!

1. Bride Price/ Dowry

• The bride price is presented to the bride’s family in the form of property, money or any other type of wealth. The actual value of dowry is usually undisclosed and remains a secret between the bride’s family and the groom. Bride price is viewed as a symbol of exchange – the groom hands over an item of wealth to compensate the bride’s family for the loss of her labor and all that she had to offer her family.

2. Gifts for the Bride’s Father

• The bride’s father receives money and a piece of kente cloth from the groom as a token of appreciation for the great job he has done in raising his daughter from childhood to maturity. If the bride’s father is not present or alive, the gifts are given to whoever played the role of a father in the bride’s life.

3. Gifts for the Bride’s Mother

• According to Ghana traditional wedding requirements, the mother of the bride must be acknowledged for the role she played in raising the young woman from an infant to a woman ripe for marriage. She is presented with a beautiful piece of Kente cloth and money. As the presentation of gifts goes on, the family linguist takes the opportunity to praise her and her husband for their role in the girl’s upbringing.

4. Two bottles of Whisky and Gin

• When the grooms family returns to the bride’s home for the second visit, they must be in possession of the whisky and gin, viewed as traditional drinks that ‘facilitate’ the opening of the door. When they get to the home, they knock on the door, ready to present the drinks to whoever opens the door. The two bottles are ‘accompanied’ by an amount of money. If the recipients are pleased with the gifts, they let the groom’s family in, and permit them to speak to an elderly representative from the bride’s family.

5. Gifts for the Bride

• Ghana traditional wedding requirements demand that the bride must also be showered with gifts before the wedding ceremony! The lucky young woman receives headscarves, shoes, jewelry and at least six pieces of traditional wax print (kente) cloth. The pieces of cloth should be of different colors, to use for different occasions. The bride’s family carefully takes note of these gifts, as they are keen to see if the groom will be able to provide for their daughter.

6. Engagement Bible

• This Bible is presented to a Christian bride, as a reminder that she can turn to God in the good and bad times. The elders may counsel the couple at this point, reminding them that it is their duty to bring up their children in God’s ways.

7. Engagement Ring

• It is the groom’s responsibility to purchase this ring before the ceremony, with the intention of presenting it the bride after the negotiations are over. Towards the end of the ceremony, the groom gets a chance to put the ring on his bride’s finger, as the two families watch with joy and approval.

8. Money for the Bride’s Brothers

• The bride’s brothers play an important role in keeping the bride safe from other men who may seek attention while the groom is courting her. As such, they receive a reward for their hard work! If the bride has no brothers, the money is presented to her close male cousins.

9. Food and Drinks

• Refreshments are a crucial part of Ghana traditional wedding requirements, as the groom’s family must appreciate the family members and friends who have taken time to witness the ceremony. The groom’s family ensures that all the attendees have a sumptuous meal with plenty to drinks as they celebrate the newlyweds.

Finally, if the groom is well prepared, and thoroughly acquainted with the standard Ghana traditional wedding requirements, the whole process will be a breeze!