I have actually seen a recent article that I thought about the whole time I read about the origin of the wedding traditions of this West African tribe within "Sunjata."
One marriage ritual found in "Sunjata"is the carrying of the bride. In the story, the bride, Sogolon, had crippled feet from her childhood. The text reads, "When they lifted her up she had a twisted foot.Her feet were twisted and she could not walk without raising dust...They saw that he feet walk could not improve, That is was beyond her power. The sisters said, 'Let us carry her.' That is how carrying the bride originated" (1536, lines 751-3, 764-7). Not only is the bride carried from the outskirts of town to her bridegroom, there is also a song (1536, lines 758-761, 768-9).
Within cultures around the world, there are many other marriage traditions that have been passed down through generations. By now, I am sure many people have no clue from where the traditions have originated. In the How Stuff Works article, "10 Strange Wedding Traditions," the first tradition I recognized was number five: Stuffing an Apron with Cash. Although, my family has always referred to it as the Dollar Dance. The same idea exist that the wedding guests pay to dance with the bride. According to the article, this tradition originated form Poland. The article can be reached here.
Another article from How Stuff Works, "10 Mundane Traditions with Strange Origins," gives more details about reasoning behind some famous and quite usual traditions. The tenth tradition listed is why there is usually a best man at a wedding. According to the article, a best man was the best "swords" man of the groom. This is due to the fact that:
“Sunjata: A West African Epic of the Mandes People”. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Martin Puchner. 3rd ed. Vol 1. New York: Norton 2013. 1514-1578.
One marriage ritual found in "Sunjata"is the carrying of the bride. In the story, the bride, Sogolon, had crippled feet from her childhood. The text reads, "When they lifted her up she had a twisted foot.Her feet were twisted and she could not walk without raising dust...They saw that he feet walk could not improve, That is was beyond her power. The sisters said, 'Let us carry her.' That is how carrying the bride originated" (1536, lines 751-3, 764-7). Not only is the bride carried from the outskirts of town to her bridegroom, there is also a song (1536, lines 758-761, 768-9).
Within cultures around the world, there are many other marriage traditions that have been passed down through generations. By now, I am sure many people have no clue from where the traditions have originated. In the How Stuff Works article, "10 Strange Wedding Traditions," the first tradition I recognized was number five: Stuffing an Apron with Cash. Although, my family has always referred to it as the Dollar Dance. The same idea exist that the wedding guests pay to dance with the bride. According to the article, this tradition originated form Poland. The article can be reached here.
Another article from How Stuff Works, "10 Mundane Traditions with Strange Origins," gives more details about reasoning behind some famous and quite usual traditions. The tenth tradition listed is why there is usually a best man at a wedding. According to the article, a best man was the best "swords" man of the groom. This is due to the fact that:
Back [in] the day when a wedding was a financial transaction -- and as we all know, sometimes financial transactions can go bad. Should the bride's father have second thoughts or a lovelorn rival spring from the rafters, it was the best man's job to ensure the deal went down as planned. If kidnapping became necessary, the best man was the muscle. Later, he stood guard outside the nuptial bedroom. (The article can be reached here.)
I have been to many weddings within my Catholic family. In every wedding, there was always a best man (or even two)! I have yet to see any of them back heat or stay the night standing guard outside the bedroom on the wedding night!
“Sunjata: A West African Epic of the Mandes People”. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Martin Puchner. 3rd ed. Vol 1. New York: Norton 2013. 1514-1578.
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