Eritrea: Tigre’s Traditional Wedding Ceremony and Beyond!
The wedding season is coming again, and the weekend is filled with joyful rituals and delicious dishes that consume with harmonious traditions, often with a modern twist.
In many Tigre communities, weddings and marriages are based on mutual needs of both parties, and female consent is crucial. If a man is reluctant to initiate a courtship, his family may step in and introduce him to the women they think are suitable for his personality. Once he chose his own choice, his family, including his father and mother’s uncle, and some first cousins, accompanied by precious gifts, visited the woman’s family and respected her marriage. Her family replied that they needed time to discuss the matter with their daughter and asked for an answer in another meeting.
The daughter is thoroughly known about her suitor’s profile and has the absolute right to accept or reject the proposal. This emphasis on female consent is commendable, especially compared to the historical tradition of belittling women in many races. Although this practice is largely non-existent, the early adoption of this civilized approach by the Tiger people is admirable because of the equal participation of armed struggle for independence and post-independence government policies. .
If the daughter accepts it, an engagement party is held and the preparations for the wedding begin. A key preparation is to build a shelter (Agnet) for your honeymoon. The structure is built with bamboo trees and has two parts: a guest’s living room and a bedroom. The honeymoon uniquely takes place in the wife’s home compound, during which her family takes care of the newlyweds.
After the honeymoon, the husband returned to his family and left his wife for a year under the care of his family. During this time, she received her mother’s training to learn how to become a housekeeper and mother.
The preparations are extensive. House supplies and utilities are traditionally manufactured or hand-isolated, some embroidery made by wife’s family and friends. After her husband formally brought her to her parents, she would be living in the house she was called Delalet.
Its roof and side walls are made of Tenkebot, a mat woven from the leaves of Arekbokobay trees commonly found in the area. This tree is an integral part of Tigre People’s daily life. Its fruit Akat is consumed mainly by children and herdsmen. Its long, thin, strong leaves are sun-dried and artistically woven into various shapes. For Delalet, the frame is made of wood from Arekobkabay trees and covered with woven mats. Given the abundance of these leaves, the wife’s property and household items are luxurious.
A decor, called Shenekiebay, hangs outside the house, indicating that the couple has no children yet. After the birth of two children, the decorations were removed and she was considered a respected member of society because her pregnancy was highly valued in the Tigre culture.
In addition to Shenekiebay, there are many other ornaments with different names that are decorated on the walls. Everything inside is for the use and convenience of the bride, from minimal kitchenware, crop storage, milk and water containers and daily necessities to luxury items such as traditional saunas.
As a wedding gift, the bride’s mother gave her a stone. Traditionally, women are expected to manage the family, while men provide food. The stone grinder has two parts, each with a name: the smaller top stone used to grind is called MDET, and the larger bottom stone that collects ground crops are called Emanet.
A decorative ornament called Meqaal is a wedding gift for the bridesmaids, hanging in the bride’s bedroom. Her jewelry was kept in a small container called Dahba and the groom was not allowed to open it. Her traditional eyeliner container is called Makhulet and her mirror is called Meefeyt.
The wooden plate used for food is called Tisho. The bride’s hair ointment container is also carved from wood. The curtains are made of a special shiny fabric that enhances the decoration.
When the groom returns a year later, he must identify his bride from her blinded friends. This challenging task required him to touch each woman’s hand and ask if she was his bride. This process can take up to four days. Once he found the bride, they moved into the house together and started a new life. Interestingly, the bride traditionally pierces the nose until after the first child is born.
After the wedding, the bride moved from her mother’s house to her mother-in-law’s house, and she was ready for everything she needed for her new life. Her mother-in-law usually offers her a herd of cows to her when she arrives.
A few days after the wedding, a ceremony similar to the Tigrigna ethnic “Hamawti” was held. The bride’s mother and daughter relatives visit her at her mother-in-law’s home, bringing food and traditional drinks. Some people think it is a smaller wedding celebration. In Tigre tradition, the ceremony is held in the bride’s family house. Women gathered in front of the house and boiled the grains on high heat. After boiling, they add butter, sugar and honey. All attendees shared this delicious meal. After that, they continued lunch.
Visitors return home, drum, sing and dance. Although this traditional wedding is becoming more common, many young people are expected to recall their roots and traditional rituals.
Published by Apo Group on behalf of the Ministry of Information of Eritrea.
