Here are the most beautiful traditional African wedding attire. It is good to remember and appreciate them as most people are now choosing to wear European wedding attire.
Rwanda
As with most weddings, the attention centers around the bride. In a traditional Rwandan wedding, the bride wears Kinyarwanda, or the more commonly known mushanan.
The mushanan is the traditional dress of Rwanda. It is made using silk and comes with a long wrap skirt and a sash that covers the shoulder. The bride accessorizes her outfit with hair jewelry, earrings, bracelets and armlets.
The groom wears a tailored knee-length shirt and pants. The attire can be in any color. Rwandan weddings are often very colorful and festive affairs.
Egypt
Egyptian brides wear beautifully designed gowns accentuated with gold embroidery and made with linen. The bust area of the dress usually has intricate gold detailing. In some parts, the bride wears a matching headdress to cover her face.
The wedding tradition of Egyptians forbids that visitors see the bride’s face. She should only be unveiled in front of her husband and family. Gold sequins and beads also line the shawl. Some couples were golden crowns.
The bride’s female friends and family draw henna designs on her hands and feet. Gold necklaces, earrings and, bracelets complete the wedding attire. Both the bride and groom were a qown
Tingrinya
The Tingrinya people call Ethiopia home. In a traditional Ethiopian wedding, the bride and groom wear a black velvet cape called a Ghaba. They wear crowns with gold embroidery to symbolize that they are the king and queen of their household. Under her cape, the bride wears a beautifully designed gown and the male under his a tailored suit
Somal
Somali people are form countries found in the Horn of Africa. During a Somali wedding, there is a lot of celebration and of course feasting. The wedding attire of both the bride and the groom consists of traditional Somali garb.
The bride wears the Dirac, long, light voile dress made of cotton or polyester fabric with a googaro, silk underskirt, worn underneath, and a covering for the head called garbasaar. Gold necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and other jewelry complete the bride’s attire.
The groom wears traditional Somali attire. This consists of two sheets beautifully embroidered or made with lace. One of the sheets is draped over the shoulder and the other tied around the waist.
Maasai
The Maasai ethnic group roams the regions of Kenya and Tanzania. The wedding attire of the bride is a red ankle-length sheet (shúkà) wrapped around the body with a white strip or fringe at the bottom. Other colors of cloth with multiple patterns may be worn.
The Maasai people place much emphasis on the jewelry worn by the bride. The bride’s mother creates a special wedding necklace for her daughter,. The necklace consists of a leather disc, 12” across and covered in colored beads.
There are also beaded strands with knots tied into them during the presentation of dowry items. At the end of each strand, there is a cowrie shell that represents peace. The circle represents the village and the beaded strands represent the livestock given to the bride. The groom wears a shúkà and beaded jewelry.
Efik
The Ofong Ukod Anwang consists of a knee-length skirt, a blouse that covers only the bust and a beaded body chain. The Onyonyo is a long, flowing gown. Efik brides accessorize with beautifully crafted hair combs and coral bead necklaces and ornaments called Ekpa ku kwa around her arms and legs.
Lastly, she carries with her a very decorated staff. The groom wears a white or gold shirt and a usobo, a colorful wrapper. His jacket, shoes, and hat are beautifully embroidered and decorated in beads. The last part of his outfit is the Okpomkpomon, a long piece of cloth that goes around the neck.
