Zulu Traditional Wedding Attire – South African

Three things often stand out in African weddings: the food, the clothes, and the music or dance. Well, the Zulu, one of the largest tribes in South Africa, is no different. Songs, dancing, and an array of foods characterize Zulu traditional weddings. However, the Zulu traditional wedding attire worn by the bride and groom are the highlight of the day. Just like in modern ceremonies, Zulu couples try to look their best in colorful and vibrant traditional outfits. Read the isicwaya that is skin to cover her breasts and a hat for her head referred to as the inkehli. The bride accessorizes this look with colorful beaded necklaces and bracelets which her bridesmaids also wear. Red and white ocher designs decorate the bride’s legs and arms. The lady of the day also wears a veil made of beads and twisted fig leaves and bags of pebbles tied to her ankle because of their rhythmic effect when dancing. Also, the bride ties oxtail fringes around her elbows and knees. The bride wears a goat’s hair fringe around her neck and carries an Assegai which is a small knife that symbolizes her virginity.