Last weekend I was invited to attend a traditional Swazi wedding. A SNTC staff member named Wisdom was getting married the traditional way -- though he and his wife had already had a modern or Christian wedding and had an infant son.Swazis can choose to get married in multiple ways. One is way is the traditional or polygamous wedding, which the royal family practices and therefore much of the country as well. Another way is the modern or Church wedding, where Swazi brides where white, have bridemaids and do the usual western things.
Some Swazis like Wisdom choose to have both, thus praticing their Christian beliefs while holding on to their historic practices. Wisdom said he did this second wedding for his family, especially for the older folks who think this is the "only" way for Swazis to get married. Thus, some Swazis like Wisdom will not take multiple wives because it goes against their Christian beliefs.
In the first image you see the bride surrounded by the older women of the clan, while in the second image you see the men, who dance, whoop and make exaggerated movements to the women elders -- thus proclaiming their virility and ability to protect. The day was so cold, but the smile on everyone's faces made the hours all worth the wait.
2 comments:
I'm not going to lie, i may need to rethink my own wedding plans, because this looks like alot of fun. How much of the country is Christian? Is this the 'main' religion? What's the normal age bracket for those getting married?
Good questions. Swazis get married in their young 20s, up through their mid-30s, I believe. But, many many women have children "out of wedlock" (as the old-fasioned phrase goes). This is a topic worthy of much more discussion and I will save for later. Back to your inquiry about Christianity in Swaziland -- most Swazis are Christian. There are churches absolutely everywhere. Christianity was brought here by the Missionaries, and even last week I saw some typical young male Mormons walking along.
Many Swazis are given two names at birth: a Swazi first name and a Christian (English) second name. Some people call themselves by their Swazi name and some by their Christian name. Many Swazis, especially those with closer ties to the homestead and rural communities practice a type of Christianity that allows them to combine their traditional/ancient beliefs as well as Christianity.
For example, King Mswati III, the monarch of the Kingdom of Swaziland, is regarded as the Lion, who has direct connections to the ancient spirits. It is believed that the King can call up rain, for example. In addition, there is still the active use of muti by sangoma -- these are the "witchdoctors" who can hurt/kill or save someone, depending on the circumstance.
As to Swaziland's (and southern Africa's) dedication to Christianity -- all you have to do is watch my TV: there are about 12 channels, and at least 6 are devoted 24/7 to Christianity -- I have seen popular preachers such as Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen and the 700 Club on, as well as homegrown types.
I also receive 1 Islamic TV station, where a man is usually preaching from the Koran.
There are some Jews in Swaziland (many from Israel), and also, Ba'hais, who are Christian and from the Middle East. The folks I live with came to Swaziland 30 years ago to escape persecution for their Christian (Bahai) beliefs.
There is such a community of Bahai in Swaziland that one area I often drive by has become known as the Village of Bahai.
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