Eritrea is a small nation located on the ‘Horn-of-Africa’ in the northeastern part of the country It is neighbored by Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Eritrean wedding traditions, being in Africa, do not differ from the many other wedding traditions in other African states. There are nine tribes in Eritreaand they all have the concept of family at heart. All the nine tribes have the right to practice their faith, traditions and traditional values as well as speak their language. However, that does not mean that they differ much in matters pertaining wedding traditions.
Since these weddings are family oriented, most of them are arranged by the family. Among the Tigrinya, the parents of the couple emphasize that the couple should establish family ties. To many families, marriage is considered a sacred institution because it should be and is a solid and strong building block of any given society. Uniting two people also unites their families, and strengthens family ties.
Customary marriage rules vary amid the several ethnic groups in Eritrea. Marriages for girls can happen as early as when the girl is fourteen. The families of the couple arrange for the wedding and it is for this reason that practices like dowry price, betrothal arrangements, wedding day ceremony and many more vary between the different ethnic groups.
In many Eritrean ethnic groups, the women do not have the right to choose their marriage partners and they are chosen for them by an elder family member, or a person assigned to arranging the marriage. Participation and arrangements of the wedding is handled with great care by the families and communities of the groom and bride. During the wedding celebrations, it takes a period of not less than a week for the preparation of food, a month to brew a traditional beer known as ‘suwa’ and a honey bread called ‘miyess’. A banquet that follows the morning ceremony is provided for by the female relatives of the bride. The couple may enter the banquet to eat and dine with the guests only when they have displayed the received gifts.
In urban areas, a tiered wedding cake is cut by the couple. Relatives provide the meals of the couple for 2 to 3 weeks. After the union of the couples, the couple usually stays with the parents of the groom for a period of at least 2 years before they establish their own and new home. Among the Muslims of Eritrea, the bride arrives riding the back of a camel. The feast is unique as it consists of guests sitting on mats and eating from bowls. Muslim men, during the old days, could have as many as four wives and it was a requirement that the man should take care of the wives equally. But nowadays, due to the high cost of living, the nature of polygamy is disappearing. The most essential thing to remember is that family is very important to the Eritrean culture.
At Babylon Productions, we know that culture and tradition is important. That’s why we want to help with any needs you may have! If there is anything specific you require for the ceremony or reception afterwards, Babylon will do ensure you and your loved ones are satisfied. Our staff is amazing, and will make sure your wedding day runs smoothly and the way you want.
you hire Babylon Productions for your wedding, you are hiring over 25 years of experience in the wedding industry. Our skilled photographers will capture the highlights of your day, our videographers will ensure not a moment is missed on your DVD production, our limousine service will ensure all your wedding party arrives in style, and we can even print and send the invitations Remember, cultural music is key to enjoying your traditional Eritrean wedding! We can provide musical entertainment for any cultural event. Whether you want a wedding singer, wedding DJ, or a live band to play your music, we can make sure you get what you need!
We are also proud to offer special service to women in the Muslim community. Our women-only staff offer the opportunity to have pictures taken privately, without the need to be fully covered. The female-only staff will also do the editing of the photos and videos in a private room, to ensure your privacy is kept sacred. Just another way Babylon Productions is there to help on your wedding day.
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