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In the Otjiherero culture in Namibia, once a date is set for a wedding, the bride is not allowed to hang around with her friends. Her aunt is required to keep watch over her niece.
In the past, the brides from this region in Namibia are expected to know how to milk cows as well as do the household chores with the help of her mother, aunts and cousins.
Before the wedding, the bride-to-be is kept indoors where she is smeared with ocher (Otjize): a powder mixed with fat and rubbed all over her body to give her a flawless radiance.
Love-making is another important ritual of the Otjiherero people. During this time, the female cousins of the bride-to-be, tutor her on how to please her husband in bed, how to behave as a wife and how to respect her husband.
The traditional Herero dress marks a century-old tradition guarded by the women of the tribe. They wear layers of petticoats, puffed-up sleeves, embroidered blouses, horn-shaped hats and carry around horsetail whips.
They wave around the horsetail whips in the air and make a high-pitched, loud, celebratory call throughout the ceremony and the day.
In the Oshiwambo culture in Namibia, the bride-to-be’s duty while she is there, is to personally invite the elderly to her wedding.
In the past, the brides from this region in Namibia are expected to know how to milk cows as well as do the household chores with the help of her mother, aunts and cousins.
Before the wedding, the bride-to-be is kept indoors where she is smeared with ocher (Otjize): a powder mixed with fat and rubbed all over her body to give her a flawless radiance.
Love-making is another important ritual of the Otjiherero people. During this time, the female cousins of the bride-to-be, tutor her on how to please her husband in bed, how to behave as a wife and how to respect her husband.
The traditional Herero dress marks a century-old tradition guarded by the women of the tribe. They wear layers of petticoats, puffed-up sleeves, embroidered blouses, horn-shaped hats and carry around horsetail whips.
They wave around the horsetail whips in the air and make a high-pitched, loud, celebratory call throughout the ceremony and the day.
Once the date is set for the wedding, the bride goes to her mother’s house the next morning who accompanies her to an area opposite the mother’s hut called oshotoshondjugo. A fire is set in the center (between the kraal and the mother’s house) and she has to inhale the smoke from the fire as a sign of blessing.
She is then given a gift by a parental relative (Hegona) and this signifies that she can now receive gifts from anyone.
Accompanied by her cousins, she has to collect gifts from friends and relatives at their homes but sometimes, the gifts are brought to her. The hegona’s responsibility is also to ensure that the bride is taken care of when she goes to the bridegroom’s house.
On the wedding day, family and guests wear the traditional Oshiwambo skirts. They are long, flowing skirts with lines of black, red, and hot pink.
The after wedding celebration continues with people jumping up and down dancing, and the traditionally brewed beer, called omalovu is served.
The after wedding celebration continues with people jumping up and down dancing, and the traditionally brewed beer, called omalovu is served.
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Love
Stella
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Flirty & Feisty Romance
Flirty & Feisty Romance
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