Ghana practices many cultural traditions and rituals, and weddings are no exception. These celebrations are a vibrant tapestry of customs, colors, and deep-rooted symbolism. Let's delve into the fascinating world of Ghanaian wedding traditions, exploring the key elements that make these ceremonies so unique.
The Significance of Tradition
In Ghanaian culture, particularly within the Ashanti culture, couples typically hold a 'traditional' wedding followed by a religious, legal, or civic wedding. The 'traditional' wedding is a very important element of the unifying of the couple and is typically a group affair, involving immediate and distant family members and all members of the local community.
Much has changed over the years, as in many communities the traditions revolving around Ghanaian marriages are becoming modernized, as locals move away from their villages, formal education becomes more important, outside religions influence the country, and certain influences from western culture seep in.
Derek and I were very intentional in wanting to showcase our Ghanaian culture but with a new-age twist. We entrusted all local Ghanaian designers with the entire bridal party attire for both the traditional and church wedding.
The "Knocking on the Door" Ceremony
The groom will be accompanied by his family to formally ask the bride’s family for the bride’s hand in marriage. This starts with a knocking on the door ceremony.
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Before a Ghana traditional wedding, the "knocking" ceremony (kokooko or "Opon-akyi bo") must be completed. This is where the family of the groom "knocks on the door" or approaches the bride's family to inform them of their son's wish to marry their daughter. It serves as an introduction between families.
The groom, his father and family elders visit the bride’s house to knock on the door following the traditional “kookoo ko” knocking on the entrance of the house. Here the groom is greeted by the bride’s male family members who make the groom and his party wait by not opening the door for some time.
Eventually the groom is allowed in, presenting alcoholic beverages (typically schnapps used to pour libation as a traditional form of prayer to the ancestral spirits and God) and some money to the bride’s family.
Following this, a spokesman from the groom’s delegation announces their intention, saying that the groom has seen a beautiful flower in the grounds of the house and would like to uproot it.
Once the intentions are announced, both families sit on opposite sides of the room with elders from both sides beginning the marriage ceremony with prayers and introductions.
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Members of both families will sit across from each other at the wedding venue and spokespersons assigned to each party engage in friendly banter, asking for the bride’s hand in marriage. There is some back and forth as jokes are exchanged and demands are made before agreeing to hand over the bride.
In a traditional Ghanaian wedding, gifts are presented to the bride and her family, including a wedding registry that serves the purpose of a dowry, listing things she needs to begin her new life. This is a pretty elaborate list and includes gifts for the parents and siblings, but primarily comprises personal effects, household items, and other presents for the bride.
The arrival of the groom’s family in the traditional Ghanaian wedding ceremony.
The Dowry
The "dowry" is most important. Dowry is an exchange of parental property, gifts or money presented to the bride and her family.
Once the proposal has been accepted, they may set their wedding date and present the "engagement" list, which is a dowry that includes gifts like clothes for the bride, jewelry, money, or other items for the bride's parents.
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At this point the bride isn’t in the room and the groom doesn’t speak. The groom’s family presents the dowry to the bride’s family who decide whether enough is being offered. Once the dowry is agreed and everything has been presented to the bride’s family the bride is brought into the room.
The Bride's Entrance and Consent
As it is in a traditional wedding, the arrival of the bride is always the star attraction of the party. But at Ghanaian weddings, this can be a drawn-out process-especially if there’s a lot of gifting involved.
But not before a few decoys are brought into the room to tease the groom who is asked every time a decoy is presented whether this is his bride. Eventually the bride will be brought in and is asked three times by her father if she agrees to marry the groom, and whether they should accept the dowry and gifts or not.
A symbolic aspect of the Ghanaian wedding is the bride giving her consent when asked for her hand in marriage. This is done three times, as a matter of denoting that she is sure of her decision and not forced into an alliance. Though a dated tradition, it is very much a part of modern weddings and included in the day’s proceedings.
Once she has agreed the groom slips a ring onto the bride’s finger and a bible is presented to the couple as a symbol of the importance of religion in their marriage. Prayers are said, blessings given and congratulations and advice given by all elders.
Ghanaian Wedding Attire
Couples will dress in clothes that make them feel like royalty on their big day, in a traditional African fashion called kente cloth, made of handwoven silk and cotton. For the occasion, it is often brightly colored and patterned or embroidered, along with gold jewelry to accent the attire.
The new couple will dress to the nines for their Ghanaian wedding. Traditional Ghanaian wedding attire includes brightly colored and intricately patterned or embroidered kente fabric in traditional African fashion, made of handwoven silk and cotton, accompanied by resplendent gold jewelry.
The bride may fashion her kente as a gown or into two separate pieces, a top and skirt, while the groom may wear his as a toga or wide-flowing rove called an Agbada. The bride also wears a traditional headdress that resembles a crown, called a tekua.
Colors hold symbolic meaning for couples.
For guests attending a Ghana-traditional wedding, any formal attire is appropriate. You can choose kente cloth in colors that represent good tidings for the couple, or you can just choose a brightly-colored and ornately designed outfit that will fit right in with the theme. If you're unsure, ask someone in the wedding party for their advice.
Whether invited to the traditional wedding or the church ceremony, any wedding-appropriate formal attire is welcome. If you do choose to wear traditional Ghanaian attire to the wedding, rest assured that’s also welcome. In this special type of African wedding, with all the bright colors and gorgeous designs, the rest of the wedding party is wearing, you will fit right in.
The Wedding Ceremony and Reception
Usually, the marriage ceremony will take place at the bride's home or any other suitable venue. Before the ceremony, music from traditional "adowa" groups or a live band will play.
For the ceremony itself, members of both families will sit across from each other, and spokespersons assigned to each party will engage in friendly chitchat.
The bride's family will be seated to welcome the groom and his family, who comes in bearing the items on the marriage list or "aye-yo-dee" gifts.
After the ceremony, a reception with meals, music, and dancing follows. The bride and groom will go around the greet their guests and thank them for coming, and customized wedding favors are given such as chocolates, mugs, or pens.
During the couple's first dance, the groomsmen or other guests will "compete" to throw money at the two at the end of the song. This helps to provide the newlyweds with funds for their new life, while also providing some fun and friendly competition for the guests.
The couple will cut their cake and give speeches, and sometimes separate events after the wedding will be offered to guests who traveled a long way, such as a luncheon.
Music is a big part of the ceremony, so expect to hear gospel songs, as well as Afro beats. The groom’s family enters with music when bringing the bride’s gifts, the bride’s family enters with music when she makes her grand entry, and there’s generally music all around accompanying every aspect of the wedding.
Food, Drinks & Desserts
After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party and guests alike can feast on traditional Ghanaian food such as jollof rice, grilled fish, red bean and fish stew with fried plantains, roast goat and roast ripe plantains.
Indulge in traditional Ghanaian fares, such as banks and grilled fish, red bean and fish stew with fried plantain, roast goat, roast ripe plantain, jollof rice… the list goes on. Food is a big part of the wedding traditions, and a large spread with multiple dishes is the norm.
Traditionally, the meal will be served buffet-style, and the large spread is a big part of the wedding customs.
Postwedding Traditions
In some Ghanaian cultures, like the Bulsa of Northern Ghana, they participate in something called the Nansiung-Iika or "Closing of the Gate or Entrance." This ritual is believed to be the most crucial, as it is said to join a man and woman together permanently until death.
This ceremony may be performed after the wedding, but before a woman is pregnant. The items for the ceremony may include a hen, cola, a hoe, or sheep, and the acceptance of these items by the woman's paternal family signifies the ritual's completion.
Quick Facts About Ghanaian Weddings
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ghana-traditional weddings:
- What is the typical cost of a Ghanaian wedding? The customary marriage cost is between Ghc 4,000 (or $891) and a "white wedding" costs about Ghc 15,000 (or $3,335.00).
- What are traditional Ghanaian wedding gifts? While gifts aren't mandatory for Ghanaian weddings, it's always good practice to send a gift if invited.
Be prepared for a beautiful celebration filled with regal clothing, symbolic traditions, and more. So, you’ve been invited to a Ghanaian wedding?
A Real Ghanaian Wedding Story
When Alice and Derek first met In 2017, they mutually agreed they were on independent journeys and not ready to date. It was not until the summer of 2019 that they finally bumped into each other at Derek’s cousin’s house and planned their first date. Soon after, COVID-19 brought the world to a halt. Alice shares, “Our love story has been nothing short of complex from the first day we met, but through it all God has been faithful.
In the summer of 2022, Derek planned a surprise proposal in Vancouver B.C. After happily exclaiming, “Yes!” the couple began planning their wedding. Working with vendors from around the world, their elegant 2-day Ghanaian Traditional Wedding and Modern White Wedding came to life in Toronto Canada.
Our traditional wedding showcased the vibrancy of the Akan culture; family members adorned their bodies with complementing kente outfits, folklore stories told through adowa dancing, the immersive tastes of Ghana through local food and drinks, followed by a presentation and acceptance of the dowry for the bride. We left no stone unturned. Guests left having experienced a traditional wedding with no limits!
My wedding style was without a doubt ‘everything chic’. I wanted it to scream originality in every area. From the high-elaborate floral stage set-up to the dual runners encapsulated by a circular dance floor, to the customized tables, I wanted every guest to be fully immersed in this once-in-a-lifetime union.
Since I was a little girl, I always envisioned myself in a beautiful ball gown on my wedding day. And as such, that is exactly what Sima Brew and her team brought to life. My wedding dress was everything regal: off-the-shoulder, satin, bright white, and elevated with a beaded bodice accent. I opted for a multi-faceted look that would be transitional from the ceremony to the reception. Sima created a perfectly fitted mermaid gown that was concealed by a voluminous princess-cut overlay skirt with an extra-long train.
The best memory from our wedding was our first dance as a family; Derek, myself, and our daughter.
As a Type A personality, I knew that the only person I could trust in planning this union was myself. Many thought that I was crazy, but with an inner circle like mine, I knew that if I could make this happen, it would be with my bride tribe behind me. And so the journey began. With the help of my Maid of honor, we journeyed from Toronto, Canada to Accra, Ghana to ensure that every detail was handled with care. Though there were a few disappointments, God was faithful in bringing new talent our way, and thus we journeyed back to Canada with everything in tow. Was it easy? No. But was it worth it?
Bridesmaids gifts: Each bridesmaid received a customized box from Sprazzles which included: a custom prayer candle, a Custom hanger, a Wine Tumblr, a personalized robe, a designer bracelet, and a Traditional bridal fan.
Favorite item on the menu: Our favorite dishes had to be the authentic Ghanaian Jollof that was served at our Traditional wedding.
The first dance song: Derek and I’s love song has always been “Pretty Wings” by Maxwell.
Weddings are a lot of work and can be taxing on a couple. Thus, it is imperative that you commit every single decision you make to God for approval and direction, or else you will find yourself lost, confused, and disapproved. Staying organized through spreadsheets will be your saving grace in keeping both yourself and your vendors accountable throughout the process. And lastly, DO NOT GIVE INTO THE HYPE.
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