I Don't Hear Wedding Bells, I Hear Wedding Ululation

Ululation (noun): a long, wavering, high-pitched vocal sound resembling a howl with a trilling quality. It is produced by emitting a high pitched loud voice accompanied with a rapid movement of the tongue and the uvula.

A few weekends ago I got the lucky opportunity to attend the Tanzanian wedding of my assistant, Mariam. It was very small by Tanzanian standards, but I enjoyed watching the service. Watch the three minute video to get a taste of what the service was like.

Unlike American weddings, the wedding party drives to the church together in a car processional. The lead vehicle is actually a pick up truck with a brass and percussion band in the back, heralding the triumphal transport of the wedding party. The bride’s car is decorated with big ribbons and bows that are the theme color of the wedding. When they arrive at the church, the bride and groom lead a parade of all attendees down the aisle where people take their seats. The bridal party sits in the front middle and the congregation listens to a very long but quite humorous sermon. In this ceremony the pastor was at one point talking to the groom when he said following paraphrased statement to the groom: “You, Asifuni (groom) are a Chagga (his tribe). Chagga are economical people and very tight with money, but you cannot, no, you cannot, be too cheap with Mariam (bride).” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Intermittently the ceremony would stop and the band would sing the same song over and over…and over again.

During the ceremony it is tradition that the bride and groom do not smile at all until after the pastor announces them as husband and wife (but they don’t kiss). It was so weird for me to watch them exchange their vows and keep getting their pictures taken while they had faces that looked like they were at a funeral!!

After the service the newly married couple finally smile and lead us all outside under a tree where there is some singing, dancing, and congratulatory hugs. I loved my cultural experience and had so much fun at this joyous party!

Click HERE to watch the short video on YouTube.