My dad made me type this up for my brother's wedding. He wants a handout at the reception where I think they will actually do this... I've seen it once on a Wedding Story YEARS ago and was geeked! I already knew the procedure but it's been a while and the refresher was cool!
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The Ga marriage ceremony is where the groom’s family asks the bride’s family for the bride’s hand in marriage in the presence of family, friends, and well wishers. This ceremony as now been adopted by almost all ethnic groups in Ghana and now it is a necessary common rite of marriage for all Ghanaian couples. In Ghana today, some people perform this alone as a marriage ceremony, however most people go on to perform the Western wedding in a church in addition to the traditional marriage ceremony.
Procedure
The ceremony starts with the groom’s family “knocking” (kokooko) on the door of the bride’s family home. The groom’s family is gathered outside the house and waits for permission to enter.
- The groom’s family is given a seat with the groom in the rear of the group.
- The family is offered water to drink.
- The spokesperson of the groom announces his intentions by first asking if they are in the right house. “Is this the house of (bride's name)?”
- The bride’s family responds with, “Yes”.
- A religious official from the bride’s side prays to open the marriage ceremony
- - An elder from the groom’s side prays or pours libation for the same purpose.
- The groom’s family poses a question to the bride’s family: “Is your lovely daughter free to be married to our son? She has not been betrothed to anyone, has she?” At this time, the aunties go to the back room where the bride has been and confer with her.
- They ask if she’s ready, explain how momentous the event is, and might even play a little delay tactics to make the groom, “sweat”. When they come from the room, they announce the bride is ready for marriage.
- The DJ begins to play loud, celebratory music
- The same group of women goes back to the room to dress the bride in beautiful attire. They bring her out to her family with music still playing.
- The bride’s family explains what has happened and ask if they can accept the presents on behalf of her.
- A male member of the bride’s family takes the bride hands and places them in the hands of the male leader of the groom’s family.
- He will then tell the groom’s family “we have given our daughter to you, promise to take care of her.” The male will go on to brag about the bride. “She is well fed, well educated, no scars, bumps, or bruises. She’s happy and drop dead gorgeous.”
- The groom’s family accepts the bride and also promises the bride’s family that she is in the right hands, in the right family. At this time, the male can brag about his family and their accomplishments.
- The groom comes from the back of the group and joins hands with his bride. They hug and kiss. They make rounds and greet people as a couple.
- Then the party really begins!
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Sounds like a plan to me!
5 returned the favor:
So cute! Libation pouring?? I'm there! :) That sounds very similar to the wedding ceremony for Pakistani weddings.
That sounds like the perfect way to be presented to your husband and his family. LOVES It!
Jam- will you bring your trash can for us to pour our libations in??? LOL
I love how various cultures have very similar customs!
GP- right?! cut out all the fluff (and money!)
My recycling bin came with the place but I can bring an alternate, equally inauspicious can!
Can the invitees join from the beginning of the programme or just the groom and bride's family alone?
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