The practice of marriage is found in almost all cultures, but different cultures have different traditions for engagement, wedding ceremonies, and married life. In this photo we see a Kamba women’s marriage necklace. The Kamba are an ethnic group located in east-central Kenya. Similar to the way that some men and women wear rings to symbolize that they are married, Kamba women may wear this necklace to visually show they are married.
In American culture, it is common to have a ring made with a diamond because the durability of diamonds is symbolic of a strong, life-long commitment. Since diamonds are also expensive, providing a diamond to the future spouse symbolizes the seriousness of the marriage union. In Kamba culture, marriage necklaces are made of copper which was brought to the Kamba people through trade. Since copper came through trade, Kamba people regarded it as special and luxurious. In this way, the use of copper in marriage necklaces has a similar symbolism to diamonds in wedding rings. This is one of many examples of how marriage practices and symbolism compare between cultures.
The History of Marriage- TedEd
Marriage means something different to everyone and wedding customs vary widely across the world. Use the link to learn more about not only how marriage is viewed by different cultures, but also how the meaning of marriage has changed over time.
The Kamba Community of Kenya- Google Arts and Culture
The Kamba Community of Kenya has a rich and fascinating cultural heritage. It spans many centuries of history and today includes 44 distinct communities spanning 3 linguistic groupings. Historically, the Kamba were long distance traders and merchants, connecting the inland to the coast and bringing goods like honey, brass, and beads. Use the link to learn more about the Kamba people.
Zulu Marriage Hat- Eskenazi Museum of Art
The isicholo hat is a Zulu garment which has its origin in a popular women’s hairstyle. In the early 20th century, hats like these, modeled from the hairstyle, became popular for women to show their married status and to convey respect for their husbands’ families. Just like the Kamba necklace, the isicholo conveys its communities' values and positions regarding marriage. This particular hat’s color comes from a combination of animal fat and ochre.
