Traditional Shangaan Wedding at Djuma Game Reserve

Imagine our surprise when we received a request from Anne Norman, of Norman Travel, to host a Shangaan style wedding for a Norwegian couple! Pendrae Scott, manageress at Djuma, worked out the logistics and we let Anne know that we were ready. Anetta Simonsin and Andreas Haug, both with the Norwegian Embassy, were to be married. Their respective families were to join in the festivities.

A great deal of preparation was necessary and soon the local village, Utha, was as excited as we were. On the big day the Sangoma ("witchdoctor"), chief’s wife and a whole retinue of dancers all arrived early to prepare the bride. Now although Anetta is a Norwegian of the world she had to accept local tradition which not only includes being subservient to man, but she had wear a goat bladder! This is a symbol of fertility.