I wanted to know if anyone is having or has seen a Yoruba Tasting Ceremony. This ceremony involves the couple tasting four elements of life – bitter, sweet, sour, and hot. It usually takes place before the couple speaks their vows. My fiancé and I read about it and want to include this in our ceremony. We haven’t had much luck in finding the wording our minister can use during this portion of the ceremony. Any thoughts would be great.
Hi Stdj1104. I have heard of the Yoruba Tasting Ceremony. If anyone wants to know it is a ritual in which the bride and groom tast four flavors that represent different emotions within a relationship. The four flavors that are usually used are sour (lemon), bitter (vinegar), hot (cayenne), and sweet (honey). By tasting each of the flavors, the couple symbolically demonstrates that they will be able to make it through the hard times in life, and in the end, enjoy the sweetness of marraige. I have never actually witnessed this Ceremony. As far as wording is concerned perhaps you and your fiance could create your own wording. Perhaps the wording could be special to serve your unique situation. In any event. Good luck!
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
Your are correct Rhony! Traditional African items used in the tasting are kola nuts, a source of strength; honey, to add sweetness; water, to freshen; or pepper, also to test a groom's strength. For your minister, selections of prose and poems about love and marriage may be used to complement wedding vows, or on wedding programs, invitations, and thank-you notes. It is not too difficult. Find things that mean a lot to you.
This verse is passed down orally. I want to share it with you. Maybe your minister can say it after you jump your broom:
Dark an'stormy may come de wedder;
Let none but Him dat makes de thunder,
Put dis he-male and she-male asunder.
Be good, go'long, an'keep up yo'name.
De broomstick's jumped, de worl's not wide.
She's now yo'own. Salute yo'bride!
This allegedly was said by slaves when they simply jumped their broom and announced their union.
I have never ever heard about this and have never seen it done before, I did enjoy reading up on it thou. I don't think I can do it in our church, archdeacon is so strick. But thanks for the information.
I am episcopal as well and our bishop is such a dweeb. But they make allowances for the broom. I had a full mass (90 min) with incense burners and all ceremony and they still let me incorporate it. Is your archdeacon black? And what does your priest say or your bishop? they have the last word really.
Yes Archdeacon is a black man, he is very strick in that if it is of any signifance to God, he will not entertain it.
Mind you I did not say he will not do it but because I know his principles, I guess I am just not willing to ask, especially if it's not biblically related.
I attend a non-denominational church so my Minster is cool with it. We will just have to put our heads together to come up with something. Thanks for the advice ladies!!
Besides libation, the tasting ceremony is going to the cornerstone of our wedding ceremony. It really represents what were going through to be with one another and lets those around us know that we're not taking marriage lightly. I also think of it as a way to show respect to the older married couples we love and acknowledge the work they've done to honor each other. Okaaaay, gonna stop now, it's getting mushy.
I to am incorporating this into my ceremony. I saw it at another wedding an I loved it. This is how we are listing it in our program.
African Elements
In a ritual from Yoruba tradition, the bride and groom taste four elements that represent different emotions within a relationship. The tokens used in this wedding ceremony are sour (lemon), hot (cayenne pepper), sweet (honey) and fruit of the vine (added to symbolize the joining of the two families). By tasting these elements Angela & Ron are demonstrating their symbolic commitment to get through the seasons of life together.
I came across your posting as I was doing some research into the Yoruba Tasting Ceremony... While I have not seen the Tasting Ceremony myself, I do plan to incorporate it into my upcoming Wedding in December... While my fiancee is Nigerian born, we are incorporating many of the Yoruba traditions into our wedding...
Rosie I have just read an article that you did on wedding vendors and of course I have a question for you. I would like to know what sayings are usually read during the Yoruba tasting ceremony? I would love for the pastor who is marrying us to incorporate this into our ceremony.
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