Henna Fever day!!!

The day is finally drawing closer when bachelorhood and spinsterhood will end for the couple-to-be. A lot of events go into this phase of their life. The following days promise to be one never to be forgotten.  The crowning of the marriage which actually takes place on the Sunday morning is preceded by a weeklong of activities. These activities vary from tribe to tribe and are influenced by many other factors. Mostly in Ghana, it usually begins from the Friday of the wedding week. 

The expectant bride is aware of what the Friday holds. It is usually the day when the first henna is applied on her. It is a very much anticipated event by all including family members, friends and some members of the man’s family. It is done by women amidst singing, dancing, and in some cases drumming. The bride is seated in a room where all people will come and apply the henna on her body. It is then left to redden her and set her apart from all other women present on the wedding day.

Later in the afternoon, a professional henna designer comes in to draw beautiful designs which replicate tattoos on the hands and feet of the bride. These designs are temporary and usually disappear weeks after the marriage. On this day, the bride is dressed in white clothing signaling her ushering into the marital world. It is supposed to signify purity and the start of a new life. In most Muslim communities, the bride gets dressed up later in the evening from about 3pm to come out into the public. Usually girlfriends and other female members put up a party to celebrate this new phase in her life. The bride will be expected to come out and dance to songs played by the DJ. It is a day of merrymaking and usually ends with the bride feeling very tired. Sometimes there is the popping of non alcoholic wines to grace the occasion. This procession is very attractive as onlookers and passersby all stand to watch it. 

Some members of the man’s family who otherwise did not know the woman use the day as an opportunity to see her. They come together as a group and make the trip to the woman’s house. They then also use the opportunity to tell the woman how lucky she is to join their family and also make fun of her. Food preparations start today as well and most at times the slaughtering of the cow also. The women in charge of cooking are assigned but most of the time, all present at the ceremony help in all manner; cutting onions, tomatoes, grinding peppers, amongst others.

The day usually ends with all feeling exhausted. The ones who have to travel from far places to get to the occasion usually get to the venue in the evening and stay over till Sunday when the bride is taken to her husband’s house. Most people stay up late finishing with all that needs to be and there is usually a lot of discussions between the people present. The next day is going to come along with it more work and more activities.