A video clip of a recent wedding in Northern Ghana has gone viral on social media showing a lady interrupting the groom’s dance, sparking widespread reactions.
The bride, appearing calm, danced and smiled alone, as the lady had “taken possession” of the groom.
According to the groom, Salman, who identifies as #Salmaanfaris1, on X.com, this was not a scene of marital discord but a playful tradition known as “Da’chahili”.
He wrote, “It’s our culture. She’s my wife from my family. before I marry another woman, I need to pay her.”
Another X User, who tweets anonymously as #KDagbon, said, “No. The groom is our son, Salmaan. This is neither Islamic nor attributable to some side chick saga.”
He added, “It’s a “Dagbanli” tradition known as “Da’chahili”. It’s all play. They are probably cousins. It’s also an opportunity for her to have made money, a lot of money”
KoyoKoyo who tweets as #HelKoybut added, “They “wanted” her to stop, but they needed to pay her adequately. She didn’t go overboard, she played her part perfectly. The groom couldn’t get away that easily. His family and the bride also played their parts perfectly. To outsiders, it looked like a real scuffle was going on.”
Another user, Ibraheem who tweets as #yaron_tamale clarified, “This is very common among we dagombas..traditionally, your female cousins are regarded as your wives and mostly, during your wedding they tend to do this just to let the woman know she is stealing their husband and this is nothing serious as you people are portraying it.”
Da’chahili is a traditional practice among the Dagomba people of Northern Ghana. It’s a lighthearted and playful custom where a female cousin or relative interrupts the groom’s dance during a wedding celebration.
This act symbolises the cousin’s playful “claim” on the groom, acknowledging their familial bond.
The groom’s family is expected to compensate the cousin with gifts or money, which is seen as a way of showing appreciation for their relationship.
