Angola's Recognition Of The Alambamento Tradition

Alambamento is a traditional Angolan custom where a man asks for a woman's hand in marriage. It is considered more important than the civil or religious marriage ceremony. The groom-to-be writes a formal letter to the family of the bride-to-be, asking for their permission to marry her. The bride's family then responds with a list of demands or gifts that the groom must provide before permission is granted. These gifts can include money, beer, wine, food, a suit for the bride's father, and shoes for the bride's mother. The groom must also be able to identify the bride by touch alone while she is hidden under colourful textiles.

Is the Alambamento, or proposal day, recognised by the Angolan government?

Alambamento, or proposal day, is a recognised tradition in Angola. When a couple decides to marry, the groom must obtain the approval of the bride's family. The future groom writes a formal letter to the family of the bride to ask for their permission to marry her. The bride's family then responds with a list of demands or gifts that the groom must obtain before the proposal day. The gifts usually include money, beer, wine, food, a goat, a gold necklace, a suit for the bride's father, and shoes for the bride's mother. On the proposal day, the groom goes to the bride's house and asks for her hand in marriage from her family. If the groom has fulfilled all the demands, the bride's family approves of the marriage. After the approval, the wedding day is booked, and the family of the bride carries the groom on their shoulders while he walks around the room and gives money to the bride's aunts. During this time, the bride magically appears under colourful textiles, and the groom, without seeing her, has to identify her among other people by touching her silhouette. The wedding takes place a year later.

What is the role of the groom's family in the Alambamento?

In Angola, there is a strong cultural tradition of asking for the bride's hand in marriage, called Alambamento. It is considered more important than the civil or religious marriage. The Alambamento consists of a series of rituals, including the delivery of a letter requesting the hand of the bride, which may be accompanied by money. The groom's family traditionally plays a crucial role in the Alambamento process.

On the day of the request, the groom's family, including the father, mother, uncle, aunt, and siblings, visits the bride's family. The bride's uncle, acting as a judge, introduces everyone and informs them that the marriage request will begin. The groom's family presents the letter and may offer money or other gifts to the bride's family. The amount of money and the value of the gifts can vary depending on the bride's family's expectations and the groom's financial capabilities.

The groom's family's presence during the Alambamento demonstrates their support for the union and their commitment to the bride's family. They may also be expected to contribute financially to the wedding, including paying for the groom's attire, accessories, and wedding rings. In some cases, the groom's family may also host an engagement party or contribute to other wedding-related expenses, such as flowers, entertainment, or alcohol at the reception.

The groom's family also has the responsibility of gathering the necessary items on the list provided by the bride's uncles. This list includes various consumer goods, such as an envelope with money, beverages, a goat, and clothing items for the bride's family members. The groom's family plays a crucial role in fulfilling these requirements to demonstrate their sincerity and commitment to the marriage.

In conclusion, the groom's family plays a vital role in the Alambamento tradition by actively participating in the rituals, providing financial support, and fulfilling the requirements set by the bride's family. Their involvement strengthens the bond between the two families and ensures the successful union of the couple.

What is the role of the bride's family in the Alambamento?

The Alambamento is a traditional Angolan custom where the groom delivers a tribute of honour, or dowry, to the bride's family. It is considered more important than the civil or religious marriage.

The bride's family's role in the Alambamento is to set the terms for the dowry. The bride's uncles are responsible for creating a list of items that the groom must gather before the day he formally requests the bride's hand in marriage. The list often includes consumer goods such as beer, coca-cola or juice, a goat, and clothes for the bride's family members. The amount and type of items on the list can vary depending on the family, and the value of the dowry is higher if the bride is pregnant.

On the day of the request, the groom presents the items to the bride's family. If the bride's father agrees with the request, the groom is allowed to enter the room and book the wedding day. The bride's family then carries the groom on their shoulders while he walks around the room and gives money to the bride's aunts. During this time, the bride magically appears under colourful textiles, and the groom, without seeing her, must identify her by touch alone.

The Alambamento is considered a strong cultural tradition in Angola, though it is becoming less practised in modern times.

What are the consequences of a failed Alambamento?

Alambamento is a traditional Angolan custom where a man asks for a woman's hand in marriage. It is considered more important than the civil or religious marriage ceremony. The man must obtain the approval of the woman's family, and the couple sets a date for the request.

The man is given a list of items to procure before the day of the request, which typically includes:

• Money
• The woman's height in crates of beer
• The woman's height in crates of juice or Coca-Cola
• A goat
• A suit for the woman's uncle
• Shoes for the woman's mother

If the woman is pregnant, the value of the items increases significantly.

A failed Alambamento could result in the woman's family withholding their approval of the marriage. This would prevent the couple from getting married, at least until the man can provide the requested items. It could also cause embarrassment and shame for the man and woman, who may have to endure a period of social ostracism before attempting the Alambamento again.

In modern times, the tradition of Alambamento is becoming less practiced, as Angolan society moves towards modernity and away from traditional cultural practices.

How does the Alambamento reflect Angolan culture?

Alambamento is a strong cultural tradition in Angola, considered by some to be more important than the civil or religious marriage. It involves a series of rituals, including the delivery of a letter requesting the hand of the bride, which sometimes comes with money.

The day of the proposal is set by the bride's aunt and uncle, who also provide the groom with a list of items to be presented to the bride's family on the day of the proposal. The list usually includes an envelope of money, the bride's height in boxes of beer or cases of Coca-Cola or juice, a goat, a suit for the bride's uncle, and shoes for the bride's mother.

The Alambamento reflects the importance of family and community in Angolan culture, with the whole family gathering to celebrate the proposal. It also reflects the importance of tradition and ritual, with specific steps to be followed in the process of requesting the hand of the bride.

The tradition of Alambamento is also a reflection of Angolan society's respect for elders, as the bride's uncles play a crucial role in the process by setting the date of the proposal and creating the list of items for the groom to obtain.

Additionally, the practice of Alambamento showcases the value of generosity and reciprocity in Angolan culture. The groom is expected to offer a variety of gifts to the bride's family, and in return, the bride's family provides their approval for the marriage.

While the Alambamento tradition is becoming less common in modern times, it remains a significant aspect of Angolan culture and is even featured in TV advertising.

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