In as much as our cultures are different from one another, there tend to be culture shock whenever we hear surprising stories of other people's culture. In Bayankole, incest has been seen as an act of marriage. Incest is not taken lightly in many cultures in Africa. But for the Banyankole people in Southwestern Uganda , this act is far from being an abomination; it is a practice deeply rooted in their marriage rites.
The primary responsiblility in this rite comes down to the bride’s aunt. When a couple wants to get married, the bride’s aunt has to carry out a sexual check on both her niece and her nephew-in-law. She does this by having sex with the bride’s fiancé to confirm his virility, and by verifying that her niece is indeed still a virgin. Virginity is paramount when marriage takes place for the Banyankole. The focus on it begins when the Banyankole girl is as young as eight.
For most of us, this age marks a period of childhood exuberance in our lives. But for the Banyankole child of a similar age, this is when restrictions begin, when preparations for marriage start.
At this stage, they are no longer free to run around and play without some form of control. Girls are mostly kept indoors, where they eat beef and millet porridge and are forced to drink milk in large quantities so that they become fat. Being fat is associated with beauty for the Banyankoles, just like the Mauritanians , and the drinking of milk is said to contribute to the beauty of one’s beauty, skin, hair and nails.
As soon as a girl's breasts emerge, she is warned by her parents to abstain from sexual activities, which may lead to pregnancy and disgrace the family. In the past, pregnancy outside marriage was punished by death or expulsion from the home.
A Munyankole father, occasionally assisted by his relatives, is obliged to get a wife for his son by paying the required bride-wealth. This consists of two cows, three goats, and some pots of beer among the Bairu; among the Bahima it may range from two to twenty cows, depending on how wealthy a person is.
A marriage may be arranged by the couple's parents, or the boy may propose to the girl during adolescence.
Once the bride-price has been paid, preparations for the wedding begin. On the wedding day the bride's father slaughters a bull for food. Other forms of food and a considerable amount of beer are prepared for feasting at the bride's home. This is followed by another feast at the bridegroom's home, where the marriage is consummated. At the wedding ceremony the girl's aunt confirms that the groom is potent by sleeping with him and that the bride defended her virginity before the marriage was consummated.
What a culture shock....
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