The Ashanti, also known as the Akan people, is the largest tribe in Ghana. The traditional Ashanti wedding is an important community event, as it involves the couple, the couple’s immediate and extended family, and the community at large. Listed below are some of the most interesting aspects of Ashanti wedding traditions.
- Kasasie
- When a man wants to get married, he has to first seek the approval of the woman he wants to marry, through a secret meeting called ‘Kasasie’. If she agrees, he then informs the members of his family who then begin investigations into her family background.
- Knocking
- The Knocking or ‘Kokooko’ ceremony, unique to Ashanti wedding traditions, is the first in the marriage process, and a symbol of respect in unifying the two families. The young man and his family members first knock at the entrance of the home, then at the door. The bride’s male family members take their time opening the door. When they finally do so, the groom and his family present them with gifts of money and alcoholic beverages, as well as special gifts for the bride.
- Gifts/Dowry
- The most common gifts or dowry items given include gold dust, tobacco, salt, fish, money and alcoholic beverages (schnapps). The groom is often required to hand over these gifts to members of the clan from which the bride to be comes from. In addition, the groom must send special gifts to the bride including clothes, jewelry, a mat, a stool, and a trunk box.
- Interestingly, during the wedding ceremony, the bride is asked three times by her father whether she accepts the dowry and gifts or not!
- Spokesman
- The groom’s delegation must select a spokesman who will go to the potential bride’s family and announce their intentions. This spokesman usually states that the groom has seen a beautiful flower (symbolic of the bride’s purity and virginity) that he would desire to uproot. At this point, the bride’s family will tell the spokesman what requirements the groom’s family must fulfill before the wedding day.
- Wedding Attire
- On the wedding day, the bride dresses up in her best dress adorned with gold ornaments. Both the bride and groom will usually have Kente cloth incorporated into their wedding attire, to give the whole occasion a more authentic look.
- Libation
- Libations are important in Ashanti wedding traditions, as they are used to consecrate the union. After the groom is allowed into the house just after the knocking ceremony, he presents alcoholic beverages (schnapps) that are used to pour libation as a traditional form of prayer to the ancestral spirits and God.
- Wedding Ceremony
- On the day of the wedding ceremony, once the groom’s intentions are announced, both families sit on opposite sides of the room. Elders from both sides begin the ceremony with prayers and introductions. At this point, the bride is not in the room, and the groom does not speak.
- The dowry is then presented, and the bride’s family decides whether it is enough. After both sides reach an agreement, a few decoys are brought into the room to confuse the groom, then the bride.
- When the bride comes in, she is asked three times by her father if she agrees to marry the groom, and if the family should accept the gifts and the dowry.
- After the bride agrees to the above, the groom slips a ring on her finger and a Bible is presented to the couple. The Bible symbolizes the importance of religion in their marriage.
- Prayers, blessings, congratulations, and advice from the elders follow, after which the couple is declared husband and wife. A huge party with food, drinks, music, and dancing follows.
- Akonta Gye Sikari
- Before the bride leaves her home, drinks are poured out as a sign of respect. At this point, her brothers may demand “akonta gye sikari” – a protection fee to be paid before she leaves her parents’ home. After the groom pays this fee, he sends some delegates to escort the bride to his home.
- Divorce
- Both husbands and wives can divorce each other on grounds of drunkenness, adultery, sterility, lack of financial support, physical abuse, etc. The married woman’s property is separate from that of her husband, and as such, when the divorce goes through, she leaves with her property. Also, children stay with the mother, as they are part of the mother’s clan.
Nothing beats the beauty of Ashanti wedding traditions displayed in an authentic Ashanti wedding – traditions that must not be lost!