Write@Home
Winter 2015

Celebration

Bridegroom in church wedding ceremony smiling at bride

In my country Eritrea, most weddings are celebrated in January. This is because it is the time when farmers finish harvesting their crops. Families then have plenty of food and drinks to serve to all the guests. January is also less busy for people, so they can take part in the celebration.

Weddings in Eritrea are usually very big and full of joy. They often start in the church, where the bride and groom exchange rings and receive blessings. After the church ceremony, everyone goes to a wedding center for the real celebration. There, people enjoy music, traditional dancing, and lots of delicious food. Relatives, friends, and neighbors all come together to share in the happiness. The bride and groom wear beautiful traditional clothes, and family members help with the preparations. Everyone eats, sings, and dances till night.

For us, weddings are not just about the couple but also about family and community.