Africa is very diverse in the range of tribes that made up the Continent. There are over two thousand tribes in Africa. The cultures and ways of life of its People are what distinguish Africa from the other continents.
But the Bayankole tribe in Uganda has a distinguished way of life that makes its people uniquely different from other African tribes. In this Unique tribe, marriage is very significant because parents take immense pleasure and satisfaction in their children’s marriages. This Ugandan custom states that when a girl reaches the age of eight or nine, it is the aunt’s responsibility to prepare her for family life.
Virginity in this culture is held in high esteem so the girls must abstain from premarital sex. If one is found not to be a virgin before marriage she is to face the death penalty or be banned from society.
The Ankole tribe consider the slim physique unattractive. To them, fat is simply sexy and beautiful. So when girls get to the ages of eight and nine, they are required to go through a fattening process. This is usually done to speed up the weight gain of the girls so they can attract a husband.
The Banyakole marriage involves several ceremonies including a giveaway period known as “Kuhingira” where the relatives and friends of the bride present her with gifts such as cows and other food items to take to her matrimonial home.
On the wedding day, a feast is organized at the bride’s home where the father is to slaughter a bull while at the groom’s home there is also a feast to consummate the marriage. But first, there has to be one last ceremony, that involves tests that must be done by the bride’s aunt.
It involves the bride’s aunt testing the sexual prowess of the groom by having intercourse with him. This is to make sure they are potent. During the act, she learns all his sex tricks as well as her favourite styles so she can gift her niece with pointers on what the groom likes sexually.
- After confirmation is done, the bride is then taught by her Aunt and allowed to consummate the marriage by being sent by her Aunt to the husband with her blessings.
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