Hazel & Etse’s Inter-Cultural Traditional Wedding in Harare, Zimbabwe

Inter-cultural weddings are always beautiful and fascinating, as they bring together different traditions and customs from across the globe. On September 3rd in Harare, Zimbabwe, Etse of the Edo tribe from Nigeria and Hazel of the Shona tribe from Zimbabwe had a stunning inter-cultural traditional wedding known as the Roora in Zimbabwe that celebrated their love and heritage. This is their story.

Etse and Hazel met each other through mutual friends and quickly fell in love. They knew from the beginning that their cultures were different, but they were committed to honoring both throughout their relationship. After a few years of dating, Etse proposed to Hazel in a beautiful surprise proposal in Boston, and they decided to have an inter-cultural wedding that honored both their traditions and customs at Hazel’s home in Harare. The Roora was a beautiful celebration of the beauty & diversity of African culture; with the bride wearing traditional attire from both Zimbabwe & Nigeria while the groom was decked out in his traditional attire. The Roora was held in a stunning outdoor setting at Zimbali gardens. Etse’s family and friends traveled from all over the world to attend the wedding, and they were dressed in colorful traditional Nigerian attire for the day. The wedding ceremony itself was a blend of Nigerian and Zimbabwean traditions. Etse’s family brought gifts for Hazel’s close family members -grandmother, sisters, brothers, etc- as well as for the new couple to bless their new home. There was also a traditional Zimbabwean dance performance that added to the festive atmosphere. There was a lot of delicious African cuisine, plenty of dancing and music with the culmination in a wedding cake that was gifted to the couple by Hazel’s cousin. The photographs from the wedding captured the beauty and joy of the day perfectly. Etse and Hazel looked stunning in their traditional attire, and the lush greenery of Zimbali Gardens provided a breathtaking backdrop for the photos. The pictures will be treasured by the couple and their families for years to come.

The wedding blended Nigerian and Zimbabwean traditions seamlessly and was a true representation of the richness and diversity of the cultures of Africa. If you're planning an inter-cultural wedding, take inspiration from Etse and Hazel's celebration, and make your wedding a beautiful and unique representation of your love and cultures.