The bride who jumped at her own wedding?
- sahal finds
- Jun 30
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 8
It’s long been tradition at Somali weddings for the bride to watch as the women in her life — aunties, cousins, sisters, childhood friends — take the stage in joy, dancing buraanbur in her honor. It’s a stunning expression of love: the women show up for her, celebrate with her, and dance because of her. It’s magical — a community in motion.
But something is often missing: her.
We’ve been taught that a shy bride is a beautiful bride — and there is undeniable grace in that. The quiet dignity. The soft glow. The bride who sits calmly, embodying reverence and humility, holding the weight of the moment with elegance — that image is celebrated across cultures.
But tradition doesn’t have to mean limitation. It can stretch while still holding its shape.
So what if the bride did rise — not to perform, but to let herself be more than watched. When emotion stirs in the chest, and her loved ones chant ‘i kacay dhiiga! i kacay!’ What if she feels it too — that deep, quiet surge of joy? When something inside lifts, shouldn’t she honour that and move freely?
So here comes my question: should the bride remain a quiet symbol of tradition, or can she claim the goob and still carry that timeless grace? Maybe it’s not one or the other — maybe she can be both. Let me know what you think in the comments.
When I learned this about baraambur culture I didn’t really understand why it was, and why the mothers of the newly weds can’t jump as well. I now know that it’s because we are to let our loved ones honour us on our wedding day. Tbh I’ve never been fond of how brides are limited as to what they can do at their weddings based on culture and tradition. I like the part where you said “tradition doesn’t have to mean limitation. It can stretch while still holding its shape.” We can still honour our traditions while at the same time not limiting ourselves. It can be an addition to an already beautiful tradition. My sister in laws mother actually…
Hey lovely. First of all, I wanna say thank you for doing what you do. You are asking a very good question and to answer to your question I would say the bride should do what she desires. She should I. Forhand decide what kind of celebration she would like to have. Now a days, people shape their weddings and at least the bride can get is to enjoy her wedding party. But I know it's easier said than done, the generation "ceeb" is there and someone needs to be the first one.