Family Quote by Sol T. Plaatje
““That exactly is how my father and mother met and became man and wife. There were no home ceremonials, such as the seeking and obtaining of parental consent, because there were no parent; no conferences by uncles and grand-uncles, or exhortations by grandmothers and aunts; no male relatives to arrange the marriage knot, nor female relations to herald the family union, and no uncles of the bride to divide the bogadi (dowry) cattle as, of course, there were no cattle. It was a simple matter of taking each other for good and or ill with the blessing of the ‘God of Rain’. The forest was their home, the rustling trees their relations, the sky their guardian and the birds, who sealed the marriage contract with the songs, the only guests. Here they stablished their home and names it Re-Nosi (We-are-alone). [41]””
About This Quote
Source Book: *Mhudi* by Sol T. Plaatje, 1919
A couple married without formal customs, relying only on mutual consent and nature’s blessings.
In simple terms: They wed simply, guided by love and the forest.
Key Takeaway
Value personal commitment over ritual.
Themes
love
tradition
nature
community
individualism
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
cultural
anthropological
When to use this quote
- rural marriage
- intercultural relationships
- personal vows
- non‑formal ceremonies
Key Concepts
social contract
cultural autonomy
environmental symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does nature influence personal commitments?
- What role do rituals play in modern relationships?
A Different Perspective
May lack legal recognition or broader social support.
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