Bakha Blue
The BLUE BAKHA bazaar at the heart
of Malian wedding ceremonies
The blue bazin is an integral part of and indispensable to the smooth running of the process of traditional Malian weddings. We will explain step by step how a marriage in Mali takes place in the greatest respect for traditions, starting with the proposal of marriage.
Indeed, in Mali, when a young man is in love with a young woman, he sends a griot (African singer and poet) to the family of the chosen one of his heart. This griot, who is none other than a messenger, must convey the young man's intentions to the suitor's family by offering cola seeds and a sum of money (about 500 CFA).
In most cultures, the marriage proposal is made to the father of the aspirant, but not in Mali, which is why the griot turns to the brothers, cousins or friends of the aspirant. Once the young man's intentions have been shared with the family of his chosen one, the griot, if the answer is positive, gives the money and the cola seeds to the father of the future bride and if the answer is negative the griot goes back to tell the young man the bad news by giving him back his money and seeds.
In order to finalize and formalize the decision, the groom sends baskets of cola seeds to the father of the bride-to-be. This is when the dowry is fixed. In most cases, the dowry consists of baskets of cola seeds and a more or less important sum of money. Then the date of the ceremony is set.
Now we come to the wedding day. On this day, the rituals and rites of passage between single and married life are different for the two lovers. The first stage of marriage is ablution. In most cases, this ceremony is reserved for women. It is a purification that allows one to pass from the life of celibacy to the life of a serene young wife, washed of all "sin". Indeed, the purpose of this purification is to "wash away the sins of childhood" so that she may be pure for married life. The future wives give themselves over to this practice generally in the evening at dusk. It is at this time that the blue bazin makes its entrance.
Indeed, the bride-to-be is dressed in a large Boubou in blue bazin (or white in some cases) and a hand-sewn black cloth covering her head. Before she is then "washed" with a sponge and soap, both new especially for the occasion so that purification is optimal, she is taken outside among the crowd while singing traditional songs. Once the stool is installed, the women in charge of the purification will make her sit down and stand up several times before being "definitively" seated for the purification process.
Purification can begin, women start with the feet, then the hands and finally the face.
Once the purification is accomplished, the griots sing the praises and wishes of happiness prepared by the young woman's parents and friends.
After the ceremony, she will be reunited with her husband in the bridal chamber and will be forbidden to go out during the seven wedding days.
In some towns in Mali, more precisely in the North of the country, this purification practice is reserved for men. They will be dressed in a large white Boubou and their parents will perform the purification rite in the afternoon.
This purification ceremony is called "Kounkoli" for some, and "Senkoli" for others.
The blue and white bazins are masterpieces and indispensable for both men and women at a wedding ceremony in Mali.