By ‘Maleruo Leponesa
The celebration of Heritage Month took on a unique form this year at Rhodes University when the Basotho and Bapedi associations came together to showcase their traditions through a symbolic traditional wedding ceremony.
Precious Rammala, chairperson of the Bapedi Association, explained the origins of this collaboration: “Our association started in 2024 with just a few members. During this year’s Extravaganza event, we learned that the Basotho Association was also founded in 2024. We had a plan to have a traditional wedding as a way to showcase our tradition and celebrate heritage. We then collaborated with the Basotho because, in terms of language, we are able to understand each other.”
The traditional wedding took place on Saturday 20 September at the Steve Biko Lawns. The “celebration” followed successful lobola negotiations. Before the lobola negotiations began, the “groom’s” family sent a delegation to formally request a meeting with the “bride’s” family. They delivered a letter stating their intentions, and asking the bride to confirm that she knows the person in question. She confirmed and the letter was read aloud to her family.
The letter, as read by the groom’s delegation, said: “Thobela. Rena baga Mashamaite’a Bokone, lepsika le tswalela ngope, gale tswalele kgomo fela le Marumo Lea tswalela, re romile ke morwa wa rena gore retle remo kgopelele letsogo la morwedi’a Lena ka lenyalong. Re kgopela lere amogeleng ka diatla tse borutho, gomme lere feng sebaka sago kgopelela morwa wa rena seya nokeng. Rea leboga. Wa Lena, Mashamaite’ family.”
Usually, once accepted, the bride’s family then proposes a date for the official lobola negotiations, and may, if they choose, hint at the expected amount for their daughter.
Lobola negotiation stage
On the agreed-upon date, the groom’s family returns to conduct the lobola negotiations in earnest. Upon successful negotiation, both families now recognise each other as relatives by marriage. The date of the wedding is also typically decided during this meeting.
In this symbolic wedding at Rhodes University, the bride was Hlompho Lengoasa from the Basotho Association, while the groom was Tiro Macquire from the Bapeli Association. The bride’s uncles, representing the Basotho family, agreed on a symbolic bride price of M500 per cow, expecting 10 cows in total.
To smooth the process, the groom’s side also brought along a bottle of brandy; a lighthearted gesture meant to ease tensions and bring warmth to the negotiations.
On the day, the bride and her sisters gathered in the negotiations room, facing downwards to ensure that they are not easily recognised by the uncles of the groom, who were expected to identify the right woman as bride. The groom gave the description of his woman to make it easy for his uncles to identify her.
Once the wedding date; negotiated during the lobola proceedings arrives, one family celebrates the giving away of their daughter, while the other welcomes the bride into their home and heritage. This day represents the union not just of two individuals, but of two families and two traditions.
Traditional attire
Both associations came out in full traditional wear, adding colour and cultural pride to the event. The Basotho wore Seshoeshoe dresses, traditional blankets and young girls wore Thethana. The Bapedi wore Tšhephe/Tsephe, a brightly-coloured, pleated skirt commonly worn by women, some wore full dresses with pleats in vibrant cultural patterns and others added matching headwraps (tuku) and beaded accessories.
Each item carried meaning, reflecting status, beauty, and heritage.
Music and dance
The event was filled with the sounds of traditional music from both cultural groups. Each association showcased their dances, bringing energy and joy to the celebration.
This wedding was not only a symbolic union of two individuals, but a vibrant, heartfelt celebration of shared heritage and cultural pride.
