Umbondo, Amanda & Thabani

"Umbondo" The ceremony is held for the bride to give all manner of gifts and groceries to her in-laws, in appreciation for the lobola (bride price) they paid, and the Umembeso (gift to bride’s family) ceremony. It is often the last step before a couple gets traditionally married.

The bride takes gifts in a basket or basin, where she puts some ‘beverages’, biscuits and dishes for tea.

She is accompanied by girls and one of them will stay behind as her maid. The maid’s role is to help the bride run errands, because there are places that she isn’t supposed to go.

Towards this big day, the bride also takes a lot of different food items to the groom’s family, eg. Rice, mielie meal, samp, cooking oil, traditional food etc. These are the gifts for the mother in-law that she shares between her family and neighbours.