African Culture

  • How to Drape your Umushana

    The typical length of the Umushana should be one that covers your shoes from your waist. Pay attention to your pleats when draping your Umushana so you have a neat look and elegant carriage. It should go round your body with even and neatly tucked pleats, and be pinned securely and discreetly on your shoulder….

  • Common Items Given As Bride Price/Dowry in a Rwandan Traditional Wedding Ceremony

    The bride’s family is responsible for suggesting what sort of Dowry they would like. The two families then agree on these items, which are to be delivered before their arrival for the next visit. Popular gifts that are given as Dowry for the bride are:  Local beer “Amaarwa and Urwagwa”, usually presented in pots. Cattle…

  • What is Gusaba?

    “Gusaba” is a Kinyarwanda word meaning ‘to ask’. It is a traditional Rwandan ceremony where the family of the husband-to-be officially asks for the lady’s hand in marriage. In Africa marriage is  seen not just as something that happens between two people, but two families. Marriage ceremonies in Rwanda are no exception, asit is believed…

  • Traditional Marriage/Introduction Ceremony In Rwanda

    In Rwanda, marriage as an institution is accorded much respect and dignity. And like in many other societies, Rwandan weddings have three parts: a traditional introduction ceremony, a religious church ceremony, and a civil ceremony.  Rwandese believe that being single especially among women is weird and unacceptable, even though things are a bit different today….

  • Yoruba Traditional Engagement Procedure

    Interestingly, traditional marriages in Nigeria, are very similar in procedure from ethnicity to ethnicity. From family visits, to gifts, negotiations, fanfare et al. And the Yoruba traditional marriage or engagement isn’t an exception. In this article, we are going to comprehensively look into all the stages and its activities. Stage 1: The Introduction The families…