What is a wedding?
Interestingly, most dictionaries define a wedding as a marriage ceremony or an act of marrying. In Ghana, three main marriage ceremonies are fully recognized and backed by the constitution. They are Customary Marriage, marriage under the Marriage Ordinance, and Islamic marriage under the Marriage of Mohammedan Ordinance.
If this is so, then where did the craze for “white wedding” come from? To most people in our society today, especially the youth, a couple has not been duly joined together in marriage if they do not perform the usual white wedding. You would normally hear questions like, “Oohh did they do a wedding or it was just an engagement?”
ENGAGEMENT
Most people today refer to our customary marriage under the Marriage of Ordinance as Engagement. Is it an engagement? No, It is not! rather, it is a complete marriage ceremony culturally acceptable and recognized by law. In short, it is our form of wedding.
TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY VRS. WHITE WEDDING
Some people would argue that White Weddings do have touches of class and luxury to them therefore making them more desirable compared to traditional marriage ceremonies. Could it be the long white gowns and floral decorations? bouquets? or the fancy reception settings? Well, in this era where beautiful Ghanaian Kente can be designed to fit any occasion, is there a need to worry about beautiful gowns? There are no rules against decorations and refreshing guests during traditional marriage ceremonies either. Signing of marriage certificates does not come with specific dress codes.
THE YOUTH AND WEDDINGS
Most young men and women in Ghana today who are of age and willing to marry are unable to do so. This is because although they wish to, they do not have the financial capacity to do so. This could be a lot easier and less stressful if they were not “pressured” by society to perform two different ceremonies before being fully “respected” and recognized as married couples.
Well, maybe it’s time for us to embrace our culture more, accept our values as Africans, unlearn certain things that have been imposed on us by the Western world, and relearn what we need to learn.
Maybe, just maybe, this might be the beginning of a new Africa!
Discussion about this post