Ghana Diamond Engagement ring 60

Ghana Diamond Engagement ring.

By Aamir Mannan. 

Once he confirms, she is asked three times by her father if she agrees to marry the groom. She is asked if they should accept the dowry and accompanying gifts from the groom’s family. When she agrees, then the groom will slide the ring onto her fingers and kiss and hug her.

The background inquiry is made when the bride’s family knows nothing or knows little of the groom’s family. If they are satisfied and pleased with what they find out, they will send a list of things to the groom and his family to provide before they can marry the bride. This list is commonly made up of, but not limited to, the following:

a) Dowry /or bride price – often an undisclosed sum of money, 2 bottles of whisky or gin

b) Money for the bride’s father, 1 bottle of expensive whisky & a piece of cloth

c) A pair of sandals and money for the bride of the mother

d) Jewelry for the bride

e) At least 6 pieces of traditional wax print cloth for the bride

f) Engagement ring

g) Engagement bible

h) Shoes, head pieces, other gifts for the bride

j) Drinks, money and food for the guests that will be present to witness the ceremony

k) Money for the brothers or male cousins (if bride has no brothers)

STEP 4

Ghanaian Marriage Ceremony On the set date the groom and his family, along with invited guests show up early at the bride’s house. The groom’s family sits on one side, while the bride’s family sits on the other side facing each other. Elders from both families begin the marriage ceremony with a prayer and introductions. The groom’s family begins by presenting the dowry and all the other items on the list one, by one. At each stage, the items are checked to make sure everything asked on the list is being presented. Negotiation is possible if the groom’s family feels too much is being asked of them. The bride is not present in all of these proceedings. The groom, although present, is not required to speak in all of these proceedings as all the speaking and negotiation is done on his behalf by the designated spokes person from his family.

Once everything has been presented to the bride’s family, the bride would then be brought into the gathering (she can usually be found sitting in her room awaiting her cue to come downstairs).

A decoy can be used to “tease” the groom, the groom is then asked to verify if this is indeed his bride.