Marriage in Sudan
Some Sudanese tribes incorporate unique customs, such as whipping during weddings or not allowing the wife to cook or sweep for a specified period.
Marriage is considered a fundamental social institution in Sudan, and it is highly valued in Sudanese culture.
The majority of Sudanese people are Muslims, and Islamic law governs marriage and family matters.
Under Islamic law, marriage is a contract between two parties, based on mutual consent between the groom and the bride's guardian (wali).
Deteriorating economic conditions since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled an increase in domestic violence and forced marriage in Sudan, as per a UN-backed study.
[8] The marriage contract in Sudan is regulated by the Personal Status Law of 1991, which has met with a number of objections from feminist groups and human rights advocates.
Upon reaching this stage, the actual preparations for marriage begin, and the money dam consists of Sudanese clothes, perfumes and shoes (sheila), in addition to money, and these preparations vary according to the groom’s financial ability, and in some cases it is according to the bride’s request.
[11] On the day of the wedding, the groom and his male relatives and friends gather at the bride's family home to ask for her hand in marriage.
Presents contain gifts bought from the groom for the future wife – she gets a big suitcase full of dresses, shoes, cosmetics, and other accessories.
In social cue, it means a woman is married; therefore, unmarried women by wearing perfume signal their single status.
One of the major preparations, basically a part of the beauty regime prior to the wedding day, is the unique ritual called Dukhan, a kind of sauna where the bride-to-be is bathed in scented smoke.
[12] It is the marriage contract that takes place at the hands of the authorized person in the presence of both the bride’s guardian and the groom’s agent.
[10] It is a feast that usually consists of lunch, and the family, relatives, and friends are invited to bless this marriage, and it often takes place in a “graveyard” or a tent adjacent to the house.
[citation needed] The wedding ceremony itself is typically held in a large hall or a mosque and is attended by the couple's family and friends.
The couple is required to exchange vows, and the groom presents the bride with a "mahr," or a gift of money or jewellery.
[14] One of the key customs is the “zaffa,” a traditional wedding procession involving music, dancing, and colorful costumes.
During the Jirtig ritual, both the bride and groom sit on a brim-embroidered, red-covered wooden bed, surrounded by their families and guests.
[citation needed] In addition to these traditional rituals, Sudanese weddings are also characterized by their elaborate and colourful attire.
The bride wears a "thawb" or a long, flowing dress that is often made of silk or satin and is adorned with intricate embroidery and beading.
The groom wears a "jalabiya" or a long, loose-fitting robe that is typically made of cotton or linen.
The Zaffa is a procession that takes place in the streets, where the groom's family and friends will dance and sing while carrying the bride on a decorated platform.
