Afrocentric Ceremony Traditions

The tying of the knot: Symbolizes your unity, have your officiant or a close friend tie your wrists together with a piece of cloth or cowrie shells necklace, while affirming your commitment.

or knocking of the door, Which is a pre ceremony ritual. The groom brings gifts to his future in laws, knocks on the door to get their approval to enter. It's a getting to know you type of thing.

I feel like jumping the broom is important though as far as cultural traditions go.

ETA: Cutting the cord: When a couple “cuts the cord”, they symbolize their break from their old family ties and their commitment to their new ones. The eldest member on the grooms side and the eldest member on the bride’s side sit in the first row on either side of the aisle. When the couple walks back down the aisle after they say their “I do’s” they cut the cord and end their old lives to start their new ones.

@TreeShade thank you! I've never heard of cutting the cord. Tying the knot gives me a bit of anxiety. I don't want to be bound...figuratively yes, literally no. LOL!

No Problem- the traditional African royal colors purple and gold are big.

Also the pouring of the libations to the four corners, but unless your ceremony is outside that isn't a good one.

I like the sound of the 4 elements ceremony.

These are some African wedding blessings that my officiant sent me - maybe you can incorporate into your ceremony:

Start your walk towards the place where God wants you. May God enlarge your sleeping mat; May God enlarge the door of your dwelling; May God enlarge your back. May God lead you by pulling you along, and may God push you. May God be at your side. May God grant you many children May God grant you many cattle. Spread out, like water of a lake. May God be your deliverer. I have placed myself in front of you to lead you,

Be like a powerful tree, with a refreshing shadow, Give us life. Go without stopping

**** (Samburu, Kenya)

May God free you, may God guard you night and day. May God set you in your right place, And may you spread out like the grass of a prairie. Spread out like palm leaves; continue your walk, And may life be with you. May God place you where God’s stars are placed at dawn and at night. Spread out like water of a lake. Be numerous, like the feet of a millipede.

**** (Samburu, Kenya)

Meet life; meet it together with your children. Meet it blessed, meet it near, meet it far, the distance from south to north.

Untie your blessed shells; be a majestic tree, refreshing to the travelers.

Spread out like palm leaves. May God grant you children, many of them, that your food may be sufficient. Spread out like the water of a lake. May you be loved by the generation now living.

And by the one that is no more. May children call you “grandma” or ‘grandpa’. Be an anthill on which children play. Be the hinge of your door that does not fail. May you nourish all nine generations. Together with your axe, with numerous offspring, Like a millipede’s legs, go now, for God has agreed.

(Samburu, Kenya)

We are doing the "Hide and Seek"

@Makela what is that?

@Nicole - My FH says that the bride is hidden in the reception and he must find her by clues that the guests give him. I need to do more research, but this is something that he would like to include.

The 4 elements ceremony sounds really neat!