Somali Traditional Weddings


In Somali which is located in Northern Africa, marriage laws are practically same like Muslim marriage laws. In this place a man may have four wives. Boy in this place may become engaged to a girl even before she is born by making an arrangement with girls family. This “engagement” in some cases is arranged between the girl’s guardians or parents, and is clinched by some small present from the man to them as a token and price of finality.

Should the man die his following of kin may marry the woman on making a small further payment. If she refuse this alliance another must be found to take the bride place, or the yarad be returned to the deceased’s estate. The marriage is generally celebrated by the Kathi or Sheikh, and at the ceremony the quantity of dowry-or mehr, as it’s called here is to be settled within the wife by her partner is recorded. In Somalia traditional culture the mehr may consist of anything-generally stock-and need not be paid during the time, but it is a very important matter for the woman which it be clearly defined. Should she be divorced the girl husband must hand to be able to her the mehr decided on at the marriage wedding service. Should he die she gets first claim on his estate for my child settlement, which is quite besides any subsequent share with the estate she is eligible to as deceased’s wife. Even so, should she refuse to be able to marry her deceased partner’s next of kin or possibly a man of his group chosen by his folks, she forfeits all privileges to both her mehr and share with the estate. This is roughly the basis of Somali marriage legislation.

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