South-East District, Botswana – What to Wear

Clothing is a key preoccupation and symbolic object in Tswana weddings. Clothes for the bride and her family are often requested as part of bridewealth (paid by the groom’s family to the family of the bride). The couple and their bridal party usually have at least two changes of clothes tailored – one formal, ‘white wedding’ style, and a second in ‘African print’. The bride’s malome, or mother’s brother, may also have a special dress made for her, in recognition of the share of bridewealth he receives. And after marriage, women wear pinned blankets and scarves as indicators of their new status.

For more information and a closer look, please just click on the images in this gallery.

BLANKETS<p> Married women wear blankets and scarves to weddings, public events and formal family gatherings, as a symbol of their status. Preferred colours vary by tribe; among the Balete, blue is common.</p>
BRIDAL MAGAZINES<p> The skyrocketing cost of weddings in Botswana – and the spiraling debt couples take on to meet it – are often linked to new expectations of lavish celebrations, influenced by transnational ideas of love and romance. Like many popular media in Botswana, these magazines are from South Africa.</p>
LEITEIS<p> Skirts and scarves made of leitis, or ‘German print’ fabric, worn by women to attend weddings. Extended family will often be given a scrap of fabric so they can have outfits tailored in matching patterns.</p>
LEITEIS<p> Skirts and scarves made of leitis, or ‘German print’ fabric, worn by women to attend weddings. Extended family will often be given a scrap of fabric so they can have outfits tailored in matching patterns.</p>
SKIRT, SHIRT AND SHOES<p> A skirt, shirt, and shoes bought for the researcher, as mmangwana (a maternal figure) of the bride. These items are listed at the bottom of the bridewealth request.</p>

View other galleries: BROKERING MARRIAGE | REIMAGINING RITUAL