We feel strongly that the celebration of our union will not be complete if we don’t recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the diverse cultures in our ancestry. It makes us who we are, and will shape us into who we become.

Tree of Life

Trees were an important part of Celtic culture, as many believed that people came from trees. The Tree of Life represents how the forces of nature come together to create harmony and balance and it symbolizes wisdom, strength and a long life. It also represents rebirth – trees shed their leaves in the autumn, hibernate in the winter, the leaves grow back in the spring, and the tree is full of life in the summer.

Handfasting

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the bridal couple's hands are tied together with braided cord or ribbon to symbolize the binding of two lives.

During the second half of the reception we will have a West African traditional re-entry. The bride's Grandmother's cultures on each side will go first (beginning with paternal), and Grandfather cultures will follow (ending with paternal). English interpretations will be offered for portions done in African languages.

Paternal Grandmother: NDANDO-NGOO Family - SAWA (Bankon/Douala) Culture

This Family and supporters will initiate the traditional re-entry into the reception by acting out the tradition of a dance accompanying the bride and groom back to the groom’s home, after he and his family would have gone to the bride’s family and completed the traditional marriage rites. They will conclude with a cultural blessing (or libation) for the couple.

Maternal Grandmother: MBONGO Family – Bakweri Culture

This family will lead a dance in which the groom asks for his bride, and she dances towards him accompanied by family and supporters. Once she reaches him, everyone joins in the dancing with the bride and groom in the middle. This portion may end with a prayer and/or brief phrases of advice to the newlyweds.

Maternal Grandfather: MBIWAN Family – Bayangi Culture

A special “moninkim” dancer will enter accompanied by family and dance towards the couple, to the tune of a traditional love song. As she reaches them, they get up and join in dancing, and then they are encircled by other dancing supporters as well. At the end of the song, representatives offer good wishes and blessing (or libation) for the couple.

Paternal Grandfather: EYOMA Family, Nigeria – Efik Culture

The Efik tradition to be portrayed is one in which the men of the groom's family bring him in with a special dance and present him to his wife and her family. This dance celebrates the groom and acknowledges the level of maturity he has attained, such that be ready for marriage

Libations are typically spoken alongside the symbolic gesture of pouring out a few drops from a bottle of a drink onto the ground, as a way to share the celebration with ancestors who have gone before us, and on whose shoulders we now stand. This is a way to connect, acknowledge, and honor their memory.

All that dancing means “showering” or “spraying” the celebrants with money. If you want to participate, be sure to bring a wad of $1 bills or any denomination of your choice! For each dance, however, we ask that you hold off on spraying until the initial, organized part of the dance presentation is done by the leading participants; then the floor will be opened for all to join in.

We hope you enjoy the traditional ceremonies!