WEDDINGS are jubilant moments joining loved ones in the presence of relatives and friends. Report by Winstone Antonio
Since time immemorial, wedding ceremonies unite two people in marriage who take vows dedicating their commitment to live together in marriage forever.
Though a wedding can basically be a time to celebrate love, it also has legal and religious significance to the immediate families.
NewsDay Leisure conducted a number of interviews with people to understand the significance of weddings to people in Zimbabwe.
Shadreck Ayiwero of Kuwadzana Extension, Harare, explained that a wedding to him does not mean anything, besides “interacting with beer and food to his fullest”.
Emmaculate Chikanda of Chitungwiza also added her voice saying a wedding signifies a day to celebrate a special union between a bride and bridegroom.
Marian Kupfuma of Tynwald South, Harare, who is yet to tie the knot had this to say: “To me, a wedding is a platform that signifies a higher level of commitment to my loved one. It is a time to parade our love to the world.
“I prefer an intimate wedding for the sake of privacy. I would invite very few people then the rest would come for the after-party.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I don’t like what is happening these days where some people are doing it to show their flamboyance and financial stamina by organising weddings worth thousands of dollars. This has resulted in the loss of meaning for weddings,” she added.
Innocent Kunjanja of Belvedere, Harare, who is preparing for a wedding soon, said: “A wedding is all about food, music, dancing, and other rituals such as the cutting of the cake and the first dance by the bride and bridegroom,” he said.
Blessing Mapakare of Mount Pleasant, Harare, said he views a wedding as a formal union of the bride and bridegroom in front of people, not a ceremony to show one’s capacity to spend cash.
“From what we are witnessing and reading, be it in the papers or social media, the wedding has lost its status of being a formal marriage ceremony. I would prefer a situation where those preparing for a wedding go for some form of counselling so that they understand the deep meaning of that ceremony,” he said.
Ellen Gambinga said a wedding is just like a party where the bride and groom receive pledges and gifts from friends, relatives and the community as a means of blessing their relationship.
“The most important part though is the exchange of vows in the presence of everyone,” she added.
Blessing Mandishona of Avondale, Harare, lambasted the erosion of marriage values through people’s quest for flamboyance.
“I cannot deny that a wedding should be a time for families to celebrate love, but my problem is when people utilise lifetime investments on a wedding only.
“I did not wed, but have paid all of my lobola to my in-laws and we have a happy marriage,” he said.
George Ncube shared the same sentiments with Blessing Mandishona that the wedding has lost its significance.
While the adoption of Western marriage custom of weddings has been hailed as a transparent and open process, it is the rate at which people are now prioritising trivial things like colour and flamboyance that has sparked debate in society.
