The most famous marriage customs and traditions in the tribes of South Sudan

Marriage customs in South Sudan are among the most prominent examples of adherence to historical traditions, like in other countries of the African continent. Marriage customs and traditions are shared among the tribes in South Sudan in what is known as traditional marriage, where the marriage ceremony begins with proposing to the bride and paying the dowry, without an official contract.

In a society governed by tribal customs and inherited traditions, marriage in South Sudan remains more than just a social relationship; it is seen as a sacred bond aimed at procreation and strengthening ties between families and tribes, in one of Africa’s most culturally conservative societies.

Marriage holds immense importance for South Sudanese, with the choice of a partner influenced by numerous factors, most notably tribal and religious affiliation, as well as socioeconomic background. While marriages were traditionally arranged by families, recent years have seen the emergence of more modern, love-based arrangements, though the central role of the family remains undiminished.

Established traditions and diverse styles

South Sudanese society is characterized by great tribal diversity, comprising dozens of tribes that share many customs, most notably polygamy, where a man is allowed to marry more than one woman, provided he is able to pay the dowry.

Among the unique customs is what is known as “ghost marriage,” a tradition practiced by some tribes such as the Dinka and Nuer, where the brother of the deceased man marries his widow and has children who are attributed to the deceased brother, in an attempt to preserve the lineage and the continuity of the family name.

Between love marriage and arranged marriage

Marriage patterns are divided into two main types; the first is based on love, where the relationship begins with an engagement, then the man formally proposes to the girl’s family, after which negotiations for the dowry and marriage procedures begin according to customs.
The second type is arranged marriage, which is still common, where the family plays the biggest role in choosing a partner, and the decision is often made based on financial ability and social status.

Dowry: A symbol of appreciation or a social burden?

The dowry is a fundamental element of marriage, presented by the groom to the bride's family in the form of money or property, such as livestock and food. However, this practice has undergone a significant evolution, with dowries rising considerably, sometimes including luxury cars, land, and substantial sums of money.

Although the dowry is traditionally seen as a way to value the woman and her family, its exorbitant cost has sparked widespread controversy, especially given its impact on women's freedom to choose their partners.

Disturbing repercussions and child marriage

The inflation of dowries has led to worrying social phenomena, most notably child marriage, where some families resort to marrying off their daughters at an early age in exchange for high dowries, which deprives girls of education and exposes them to health and social risks.

In response to this phenomenon, human rights organizations, including Catwalk to Freedom, are active in raising awareness of the dangers of child marriage and providing support to girls at risk, in an effort to reduce these practices.