Ghana Wedding Traditions

It is important that you understand the reason behind these traditions and the history of the traditions because this will enable you to perform the traditions more sincerely. Know the wedding traditions. Be familiar with the culture and immerse in the beliefs of your partner.

The Ghana Wedding Traditions last for a couple of weeks before the day of the wedding. The Ghana culture believes in the value of parental advice. Thus, the bride-to-be has to present his groom-to-be in a manner that the parents have enough time to observe and evaluate the groom-to-be.

The ceremony called “kokooko” or the knocking of the door signifies the announcement of the intention of the groom-to-be to wed his bride. The ceremony is performed some weeks or months prior to the wedding day. It starts with a visit of the groom-to-be to the house of his bride along with the family of the groom-to-be. A spokes person from the group of the groom-to-be shall speak in lyrical words. The spokes person shall request for permission that his group enter the bride’s house and announces the intentions of the groom-to-be.

Along with the group is cola and wine. The spokes person will chant some traditional form of prayer to honor the ancestors. Then, the bride’s family shall accept the offering signifying their acceptance to the request for permission to enter the house.

Then, discussions and celebration is expected to happen. After such event, the groom-to-be is expected to come back in a couple of days to give time to the parents of the bride to  decide. During the time being asked, the family of the bride evaluates the genetic and medical history of the groom-to-be. The parents also want to make sure that the groom’s family has a good reputation and that the groom has no illegitimate children. Basically, the parents of the bride want to make sure that they are giving their daughter away to a person of good character and background.

As soon as they find the groom acceptable, they send a notice to the family of the groom about the list of things that they require before the groom can marry their daughter. This list commonly includes: bride price, 2 bottles of alcoholic drinks, money for the bride’s father and 1 bottle of wine for him, money for the bride’s mother and sandals for her, jewelry for the bride, engagement ring, engagement bible, and other gifts for the bride.

On the day of the wedding, the tradition continues. The groom’s family sits down on the other side of the table opposite to the side where the bride’s family is seated. Elders from each family shall initiate the ceremony from a prayer and introductions. The gifts shall be presented one by one to the bride’s family. The bride’s family checks and makes sure that all requests in the lists are present. In all these proceedings, the bride is not present. When all the gifts are checked, negotiations are complete, and both parties are settled. The bride is brought into the ceremony venue and the groom checks if it is indeed his bride because in some occasion, a decoy may be presented.

The wedding ceremony begins when the father asks the bride if she agrees to marry the groom. The father asks the bride three times. Then, the father also asks the bride if the bride’s family can take the gifts and if she is satisfied with the gifts. If the bride agrees, she is then presented back to the groom.

The groom slips in the ring to her finger and the groom may kiss and hug the bride. Then, the officiant starts the wedding prayers and blessings are given. Then, they are declared as the married couple. The wedding reception shall follow.