The bride's parents will whip the groom on his chest 30 times to test how brave

[Ghost in the Machine]

Shea Butter Culture

The Fulani group Atafade near Kaboli use shea butter during and before wedding ceremonies. First, the bride applies shea butter to her face and arms at least three months before the wedding day to beautify her skin. The shea butter that she uses is made especially for this purpose by her mother or other female relatives. The groom also uses shea butter to prepare for the wedding. He applies shea butter mixed with herbs to his chest to prepare for the ritual whipping - the Godja ritual - which he will endure.

The bride's parents will whip the groom on his chest 30 times to test how brave their future son-in-law is and how dedicated he is to marrying their daughter. If the groom shows signs of weakness during the ritual, the parents can refuse to accept him, and he must wait until the next year to try again. This whipping ritual can leave serious bruises and even wounds on the groom's chest. Shea butter mixed with wild honey is applied to hasten the healing. Readers should not think of this as a primitive ritual. The main point of the Godja ritual is to test how much the man truly loves the bride since he is willing to endure physical pain for her. It is a way of demonstrating to the bride's parents that she will be safe and that he will do what he needs to protect her.

http://www.agbangakarite.com/shea_culture.php

[Adsos Letter]

1. Huh...!

My father-in-law-to-be used to be content with siccing his German Shepard on me...

[babylonsister]

2. My culture is different from everyone else's. I'm not about to badmouth

anyone. We have enough problems here. And how presumptuous of you!

[Ghost in the Machine]

5. I didn't badmouth anyone or presume anything, did I?

I posted a 'human interest/cultural information' article that I came across. Please take note that I did so without comment. I have in no way condoned or condemned anything, nor have I made presuptuous comments about anything or anyone... I didn't say it was right, wrong, good, bad or anything else, did I?

[Downtown Hound]

3. Kinky. n/t

[Jamastiene]

4. Sounds like a small price to pay for a lifelong relationship.

He had better be able to take that if he plans on jumping into the responsibility of marriage and a lifelong relationship. Relationships are no walk in the park. They take some serious pain :spank: and some serious work. :P

[Occulus]

6. Well... okay....

What do they whip him with? It seems to me that's a valid question...

FOR US....

but for them, I bet the groom already knows.

Talk about a test of love for one's prospective spouse! It could even leave scars.

Now, a question for those on DU who are legally married, or for those who condemn this 'ritual': would you bear a scar or ten for your spouse, to show your dedication to him/her? Twenty scars?

Thirty?

[Triana]

7. women endure physical pain for someone every time they bear a child...

...as well as permanant physical damage to their bodies. I guess it's similar?

[aquart]

8. I want to hear what happens if she isn't safe.

Then I'll decide if I like this system or not.