
In Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday, hundreds of couples joyfully participated in a traditional mass wedding ceremony—a notable event marking its resurgence after a decade, as confirmed by both organizers and enthusiastic participants.
Adorned in elegant traditional white attire, the couples exuberantly sang and danced in the streets surrounding the venue prior to the commencement of the ceremony, creating a vibrant spectacle that united people from various regions of Ethiopia.
Yakob Tesfaye and Lidet Tagel, both 21, journeyed from the western Gambella region to Addis Ababa to partake in the ceremony, generously sponsored by Yament Private Limited and state broadcaster EBC.
Expressing their gratitude, Yakob highlighted the significant opportunity the event provided, enabling them to witness diverse tribes from different regions and receive sponsorship to alleviate their wedding budget constraints.
The organizers, motivated by a desire to revive mass weddings that had dwindled due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, expressed their intention to showcase Ethiopia’s rich traditional culture and marriage practices.
Hawi Tilahun of Yament emphasized the cultural significance of the event while expressing hope that it would contribute to enhancing tourism in Africa’s second most populous nation.
Among the jubilant couples, Ashenafi Negassi and Zeytuna Usman, both 25, shared their excitement about participating in the ceremony. Ashenafi, a shopkeeper, described the day as beautiful, expressing profound joy at being married alongside couples from various tribes and regions.