|
|
 |
| Great Ideas for an Afrocentric Bridal Shower |
|
|
|
|
| Date Added: 1/12/2008 |
|
Celebrate her nuptials and her culture with an Afrocentric shower. There are no set rules -- borrow rituals and customs from the diaspora, or better yet, create your own! Here are some cultural touches to get you started.
Consider incorporating the Adinkra cloth was used to make clothing for royalty for special occasions such as initiation rites, naming ceremonies, and weddings
INVITATIONS
Buy a set of blank cards that match the brides wedding colors and get creative. Choose an adinkra symbol -- a highly valued symbol made from hand-printed or hand-embroidered cloth, traditionally popular among the Asante people of Ghana and the Gyaman people of Cote dIvoire. Each motif has a name and meaning; many, such as the Osram Ne Nsoromma, represent love, faithfulness, and harmony.
Draw your adinkra symbol on the front of each invitation, with the meaning written at the bottom. If you lack an artists skill, ask a close friend or wedding party member for help. Inside the card or at the shower, explain the meanings of the adinkra and other Afrocentric elements youre using. Enlighten partygoers with this fact: Adinkra cloth was originally used to make clothing for royalty for special occasions such as initiation rites, naming ceremonies, and weddings. If youre strapped for time, a package of ethnic-inspired cards is a good substitute.
DECORATIONS
Buy some beautiful material at an African store or fabric shop. Drape the cloth over the table that will hold the brides gifts. Place a Nigerian vase in the center and fill it with African violets. Instead of piling presents on the table, put a large wooden basket to work at each end. They provide a unique touch and are great for transporting presents to the car.
GIFTS FOR THE GUESTS
African fabric can add a special touch to party favors: Cut the fabric into squares large enough to form bags, and stuff the bags with candy or marbles. Buy ribbon with the brides name and shower date engraved on it -- or go a step further and ask the printer to include an adinkra symbol. Tie the bags with the ribbon, then glue or sew a cowrie shell or decorative beads to the center knot of each ribbon.
GIFTS FOR THE BRIDE-TO-BE
Encourage guests to bring traditional shower gifts like lingerie, a gift certificate to a day spa, luggage, and scented lotions. But dont forget the Afrocentric theme: Include a short wish list of cultural goodies inside the invitations. The items should match the brides interests -- a coffee table book on Black art or a collection of prose would be welcome on any bookworms shelf. Is she an aspiring chef? A Caribbean, Southern, or African cookbook is an excellent idea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
