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Huge wedding in Ethiopia - 24th Jan 2024

A huge wedding – for hundreds of couples – recently took place in Addis Ababa. These large weddings celebrate Ethiopia's many cultures.

This bride, Gadise Zabana, is excited by the different cultures. She's Oromo. And she's also happy about the low cost of her wedding.

Gadise Zabana: "It is so pleasing to get wed like this with many people from different cultures and we also save ourselves from wedding expenses."

This was Ethiopia's first big wedding in over 10 years, partly because of Covid-19. The organisers hope that such events will help increase tourism to the country.

There's a wonderful atmosphere as couples walk through the streets. Most wear white. But their clothes are special and differ from one another. They show the traditions of their different tribes.

This country has the second highest population in Africa and over 80 languages are spoken.

Workeneh Assefa's an Amharic speaker and is one of the many grooms. He's glad they chose a group wedding. There's such a variety of music and dances.

Workeneh Assefa: "There are so many distinct cultural attires and wedding songs which makes this unique. Mass wedding is pleasing. We are delighted."

Sharing a wedding keeps the cost low for couples. But it's also a way to bring people together. That is what's important for organiser Eshetu Geletu.

Eshetu Geletu: "Building a family is building a nation. That is the main objective of our project."