Wedding is so important in Africa that young girls are taught from a very tender age about the necessity of having a family and the duties of a married woman. Again in most of the African countries girls are married off at a very early age. This reflects the traditionalism of the African people. But what characterizes African wedding is the bright festive color with which the venue is decorated. To complement this there are lively songs and music.

In Kenya the bride is made public only after the marriage celebration is over. This celebration known as Kupamba is performed with much grandeur. The motif behind this is to make the young bride understand that she has entered into the married woman's world.In Sudan and other parts of river Nile weddings are held in a different way. Here the groom has to pay the bride's family a herd of cattle or sheep. In Somalia it is legal for any man to marry up to four times if he is financially secure.

Wedding ceremonies in Egypt are organized in front of two Muslim witnesses. Here the groom's family has to pay the bride's parents a certain amount of money for taking their girl away. When everything is agreed upon the first chapter of Koran is read out and the marriage follows thereafter.But gradually in modern times these ancient traditions and customs are fading away and the African people are following the western rituals and rites. So now weddings in Africa are followed by a grand reception party where friends and family are invited.

Thus Travel.mapsofworld.com gives a complete picture of African Wedding Traditions