The Language of love in 20 cultures

ln my last post I explored the traditional marriage process in Zimbabwe, giving a detailed account of the Lobola process. However, the story doesn't end there, a mega celebration follows in the form a wedding. The truth of the matter is, Zimbabweans go all out for weddings in the quest to impress family members, friends, enemies (those who had vowed you will never succeed) but above all, to impress the one you will spend the rest of your life with.  Wedding ceremonies serve several purposes and they are often a cherished moment in a couple's history. A wedding ceremony is often utilized as a public display of marriage vows and of the couple entering into a marital contract. For many couples, the focus of the wedding ceremony is on their commitment and love for each other. Long back in the Zimbabwean culture, weddings used to be publicized and everyone who knew the bride and groom could come and cherish this day with the couple. However recent trends show a move towards sm...

In traditional Lebanese weddings when a guy has found a girl they want to marry, they guy’s side sends his family over to the girls side of the family for a marriage proposal. The guy’s side of the family goes to the girl side of the house at least three time. During the second visit, the guy and the girl are both presented in order for both sides of the family can see the guy and the girl. Once the parents of girl side has accepted the proposal, the girls side of the family gives the guy side some sweets, which basically represents that we have accepted the proposal. Whereas, in exchange the guys side of the family gives the girl (bride) gold. Thus, after the acceptance, the girl’s side of the family organises an engagement at a reception, where the groom formally asks the girl (bride) in marriage from the father in front of the guests, the father of the girl says yes. After the father agrees, they begin to recite a passage from their holy book (Quran). Once, the Quran has bee...

Colombia’s rich, fun loving and friendly culture is what makes it home to such a vibrant and happy community. The most cherished parts of Colombian culture are the music, dancing and socialising . Every occasion is celebrated with great enthusiasm, including the occasion of marriage. Marriage celebration in Colombia is and has always been an extravagant one. Some marriage practices in Colombia have changed greatly in recent times as they are moving away from a conservative society to a more progressive and accepting society. Arranged marriages are now a thing of the past. Traditional weddings once would have involved the groom presenting the bride with 13 unity coins known as Arras which express his commitment to support her. Today, however the coins represent the wealth and finances they will share. Bridesmaids and groomsmen were never a traditional part of Colombian weddings but in recent times they are becoming so thanks to Hollywood’s influence. Many Colombian weddings sti...

Everyone desires to find that one and true love, that one person who truly understands you, completes you and cherish you. One can spend a lifetime seeking that missing part to complete them but when you finally find your one there is no doubt or question about it. The Zimbabwean culture, like every other culture, values the relationship that exists between two lovers. This value placed upon relationships then brings strict rules that are supposed to be followed by people who are seriously dating and considering marriage. Before a man can propose to his beloved, he introduces his partner to his family to seek their approval. After formal introductions are done, the woman takes his man to his aunt for formal introductions, this is done so that should the girl fall pregnant, her aunt will be fully aware of who will be responsible. During courtship, a man and woman are forbidden to live together under the same roof as this is regarded as a shame (kubika mapoto). When the ...

Asian weddings can be a lengthy process due to their vast customs and traditions.  Similarly the majority of Pakistanis continue to follow such cultural trend of marriage. Weddings in Pakistan typically lasts for about a week to up to ten days, it varies with all people depending on daily festivities celebrated by different families. There are many customs and traditions associated with a Pakistani wedding ceremony and there are various functions celebrated in a Pakistani wedding, these include: v   Engagement v   Nikkah v   Mendhi v   Shaadi (the actual wedding ) The initial meeting between the two families (the couple’s family) begins with the boys family approaching the prospective girl in both arranged and love marriages. During this meeting, the boy’s parents will propose on behalf of their son, and give sweets and gifts to the girl. If the proposal is accepted, the girl’s parents will give their word, and then following this they will set a date...

When a man and a woman wants to get married in Afghan culture, the guy sends their family over to the girls family for a marriage proposal. Once the parents of the girl, has accept the proposal, the girls side of the family gives chocolates to the eldest of the guys side of the family. The chocolates basically represents that the girls side of the family has accepted the proposal. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=shirini+dadan&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiDxtqogPTTAhXEppQKHTWsC_cQ_AUIBigB&biw=1366&bih=662#imgrc=9aAIqxLPPsnQDM: However, after the acceptance, the girls side of the family organises and engagement party for everyone to celebrate with the immediate family and friends. Thus, the engagement party also follows on the khina (henna) night, which is only ladies night where all the lady can dance. That the henna night, the bride usually wears the traditional afghan clothes, whereas, the groom wear Jami (which is traditional afghan pant...

It’s one of the most universal traditions in the world. But, it is celebrated differently by everyone. Each culture has its own ways of making someone’s special day extra special. Tying the knot in any culture comes with a laundry list of traditions and rituals. ‘The language of love in 20 cultures’ is a platform created by a group of university students to explore the diversity of marriage traditions in various cultures. The blog designed by Shabnam, Ruvimbo, Ella and Faiza will take the viewer on a rollercoaster ride around the diversity of many cultures around the world and their marriage traditions. Image sources: http://www.tuscanaresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/wedding_wallpaper_09d95.jpg http://www.boatshed-restaurant.com/images/weddings/top_right.jpg