Africa, marriage is the focus of existence. It is the point where all members of “In a given community meet the departed, the living and those yet to be born. All dimensions meet here and the whole drama of history repeated, renewed and revitalized. Marriage is a drama in which everyone must participate and he who doesn’t, in it is a curse to the community. He is a rebel and a law-breaker; he is not only abnormal but also under human.” (Mbiti, 1969) Nyambura (1980) also agrees with Mbiti and states that to marry was to play a part in perpetuating the circle of life. Traditionally in most African communities like Makonde and Nyamwezi, Mbunda (1991) notes that adolescents were not given any information on sexual matters, with discussion of these issues being considered taboo unlike today where most have been put in school curriculums. Such instruction as was given was traditionally left to a child's parents and relatives, and often this was put off until just before a child's marriage or during initiation ceremonies and rites of passage following through planned socialization. Mbunda (1991) continually observes that all what was known on sexuality was obtained from friends and this information was of doubtful value especially during the period following puberty when curiosity on sexual matters was the most acute. This suggests that in African communities, the practice of handing sexual information to young people was delayed until right before marriage. 2.2 Origin of the Term Shower’ in Europe ‘Bridal Montemurro (2006) notes that bridal shower is a custom that came about in the 16th and 17th century in Netherlands when a girl from a poor family could not afford dowry or when a father disapproved of his daughter’s marriage and refused to provide dowry for the couple. The villagers and friends assembled to provide the bride with a variety of household items for her new home. Dowry was the money or possessions a bride took to her husband in marriage so as to start a new home.
“In Africa, marriage is the focus of existence. It is the point where all members of a given community meet the departed, the living and those yet to be born. All dimensions meet here and the whole drama of history repeated, renewed and revitalized. Marriage is a drama in which everyone must participate and he who doesn’t, in it is a curse to the community. He is a rebel and a law-breaker; he is not only abnormal but also under human.” (Mbiti, 1969) Nyambura (1980) also agrees with Mbiti and states that to marry was to play a part in perpetuating the circle of life. Traditionally in most African communities like Makonde and Nyamwezi, Mbunda (1991) notes that adolescents were not given any information on sexual matters, with discussion of these issues being considered taboo unlike today where most have been put in school curriculums. Such instruction as was given was traditionally left to a child's parents and relatives, and often this was put off until just before a child's marriage or during initiation ceremonies and rites of passage following through planned socialization. Mbunda (1991) continually observes that all what was known on sexuality was obtained from friends and this information was of doubtful value especially during the period following puberty when curiosity on sexual matters was the most acute. This suggests that in African communities, the practice of handing sexual information to young people was delayed until right before marriage. 2.2 Origin of the Term ‘Bridal Shower’ in Europe Montemurro (2006) notes that bridal shower is a custom that came about in the 16th and 17th century in Netherlands when a girl from a poor family could not afford dowry or when a father disapproved of his daughter’s marriage and refused to provide dowry for the couple. The villagers and friends assembled to provide the bride with a variety of household items for her new home. Dowry was the money or possessions a bride took to her husband in marriage so as to start a new home.
NAOMI%20FINAL%20PROJECT.docx