Article by Catherine Hollingsworth
NYT Regional Newspapers
From http://www.weddingsatwork.com/article_gainesvillesun.htm January 20, 2001
The bridal shower might be modeled after a tradition called an Epp, or the "loading of the bride," when elders in a village offer advice and gifts to the bride-to-be. Grooms-to-be may follow the tradition of bringing family gifts to their prospective bride's home.
Wedding attire and jewelry: African headdresses may replace the traditional veil in contemporary weddings. Elaborate braided hairstyles can serve as their own headpiece. The groom may drape an African-patterned scarf over his tuxedo. The couple may also create their own wedding attire using African-patterned material and styles.
Illustration from textilethings.blogspot.comCeremony: The broom, used by some Africans to sweep away evil, appears in some African-American weddings. The bride and groom jump over it just as slaves did to show their entrance into marriage. African kente cloth is often used as an aisle runner. In West African culture, a libation is poured just before the feast. At the end of the ceremony, corn can be thrown instead of rice.
Reception and food: Popular dishes are Southern, Caribbean, Creole and African dishes . . including orange-glazed sweet potatoes, peach cobbler, biscuits, seafood gumbo, Jamaican beef patties, fried plantain, beef kabobs, and black cake.
Illustration from deplicque.net
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