Traditional wedding of Harari people

The Harari people are found in Harari State, one of the nine federal states in Ethiopia. Relatively speaking, the state has the smallest land area. Harari and Affan Oromo are the working languages of the state.

According to the book entitled ‘Dire Dawa: Yebizha Bahil Ketema’ (Dire Dawa: The city of Multiculturalism), Harari is the name used for both the people and the state. However, the Harari people go by the name Geyusu (The city’s dwellers).Their language is called Geyusinan (The city’s language), while their culture Geyuada (Urban living style). In short, Harari means Geyusu that is people who follow the Muslim religion from birth. The Harari people have the culture of Geyuada and speak Geyusinan language.

The traditional wedding ceremony of the Harari people is conducted as per the agreement between the two love birds. However, the marriage presupposes social, economic and legal support from parents. It could be realized as long as the families show their consent. According to the Harari culture, young boys choose their would-be-wives in a place where Shewal fasting event and Shewal festivity are celebrated. The boy chooses his fiancée from girl celebrants.

He tags along as she returns back home, the exact location of which he marks. After that he tells his parents about the girl with detail information and urges them to go to his love object’s parents and ask for her hand in marriage. Accordingly, the boy’s parents send elders to the girl’s home for seeking consent and fixing engagement day. The boy has a right to choose his would-be wife; but he could not marry the girl if he loses approval from his parents. Even they could coerce him to change his choice. But most often the parents would accept their son’s choice. Based on that, the girl needs to be respectful and past master in culinary skills and dexterous in tackling domestic chores. It is after they ascertained the girl fulfills basic personal and social requirements they approve the marriage. She has to be hardworking and caring specially for her husband.

On the other hand, the girl’s parents try to gather information about their daughter’s future husband. They study about his upbringing, personality and economic status. After their study, they decide to give or not to give a green light to the marriage. If both families arrive on a decision to bless off the marriage, the boy’s mother would visit the girl’s family along with her neighbors. During that day, the boy’s mother presents two bunches of Khat and 100 Birr to the girl’s family. On her part, the girl’s mother prepares tea to serve her guests. Then the village elders and the girl’s family distribute the Khat for people in the neighborhood. It could also be distributed for those who do not attend the engagement ceremony. Relatives and neighbors who would not get Khat could be disappointed. As such, they could refrain from attending the wedding ceremony. Just before the end of the Khat ceremony, the girl will be informed who brought the Khat . By extension she understands to whom she is engaged.

In the old times, early marriage was rampant. This forced many girls to be married below 15. However, nowadays, a girl has to be at least 18 years old to get married. Otherwise, those convicted of involvement in child marriage could be brought to justice.

After the consent of both parties, the boy and the girl would be obliged to stay in engagement for three years. The two families undertake activities which strengthens their relations. They spend good and bad times together. During Arafa festivity, the boy sends dresses to the girl signifying her betrothal. Besides, during harvesting time, the boy’s family could give one quintal of maize to the newly wed as a ration. The girl’s parents, for their part, send honey and milk to the boy’s parents. They cement their relations with good and reciprocal gestures till the wedding day approaches.

When the families of the couple meet in person, they need to show high respect and politeness to each other. Previously, the boy was not allowed to pass by the girls’ home and vice versa. If one of them violates this norm, it will be considered as attempt to undermine the dignity of the family. Though such a practice is losing ground among members of the new generation, sometimes families could use it as a pretext for rejecting an ill-favored proposal.

The other very important issue to raise here is dowry. Elders could decide what kind of dowry to use and when it should be given to the girl’s parents. The girl’s families have the mandate to fix the dowry handing over date. Thus, the groom’s parents will be obliged to send different clothing to the girl and her family members. Having dispatched the dowry, they give 12 bunches of firewood to the girl’s family before the eve of the wedding. This could be taken as a waking up call of readiness for the wedding. On their part, the girl’s family would send milk and honey to signal their readiness too. Having seen to the dowry process, both families prepare food and drinks. They as well practice songs for the wedding ceremony. This process is called Tinsula. It is a looked-forward event among youths. It picks steam when the wedding day approaches.

Before the wedding day, the girl’s father presents Kitab (Islamic book) to the groom. The girl’s mother also puts a ring into the groom’s finger.

The Tinsula officially stars on Thursday. Invited youths, who are capable of singing traditional songs appreciative of the bride, take seats in corner of the house. Circling the room, the girls, attired with colorful and eye catching traditional dresses, beat drums. To sing a song, the boys ask permission from the girls. Following a go ahead, via their song verses, they admire the bride, her parents, siblings, relatives and friends. On the morrow, the girl’s family members conduct similar activities at the boy’s home. They adulate the bride and the groom. At 4:00 PM that night, the dancing and singing process grinds to a halt.

On Saturday, animals are slaughtered and an array of dishes is prepared for the wedding. Packs of firewood will be sent to the girl’s home on the back of a pack animal. Then, accompanied by boys and the bride, a married woman will go to the girl’s family to hand over Hina (a tradition cosmetic). The bride’s friends sing traditional songs. Following this the bride’s family sends a messenger to the groom’s home to inform them to take the bride. Hence, the final wedding ceremony will be take place at the boy’s home.

There are signs that show the girl is in a married one. The elderly from the bride and grooms side tie the bride’s hair in a peculiar cultural style to signal that the girl has tied the knot. Such hair dressing activities are usually done in the evening. Traditional chants could accentuate the event.

Finally, the wedding ceremony will culminate at the groom’s family home by relishing a dinner party together. This indicates that both families have closed ranks and as such the wedding has wrapped up. After that, the groom and his wife would start their own life using the money and property being given to them from their parents.

The Ethiopian Herald Sunday August 25, 2019

 BY TSEGAY HAGOS