Since Ethiopian families usually plan marriages for men and women, there is no dating culture there. The consent of the couple’s parents is still necessary even though they have chosen each other. In Ethiopia, men normally marry at the age of 28 or 29, while women typically marry at the age of 18 or 19. Before the wedding, the village elders examine the genealogical trees of the bride and groom’s families to see whether there is any kinship between them that dates back up to seven generations. It is forbidden for godparents and godchildren, as well as married-off relatives, to get married. On both sides, relative marriage is forbidden for the first seven generations before becoming legal. The evening of the formal wedding is not the end of the wedding. Excitement continues into the next day. The husband and wife are dressed in traditional bridal garb on the second day of the ceremony. Many people refer to this traditional clothing as “Kaba.” The husband and wife’s parents are in charge of organizing this celebration. Only the two families’ close friends and relatives attend the event. As the bread is being cut, the wife’s mother gives her a nickname. The nickname creates a link to the nuptials. Attendees will use it to help them remember the wedding.
