In a vibrant celebration this Easter Sunday, a Pentecostal church in South Africa hosted mass wedding ceremonies for about 3,000 individuals, many of whom participated in polygamous unions. These events are a traditional part of the Easter festivities at the International Pentecost Holiness Church, which embraces the cultural custom of polygamy prevalent in various African societies.
According to church spokesperson, Vusi Ndala, some men took the step to marry their sixth or seventh wives as part of Sunday’s ceremonies. The practice of taking multiple brides at once was a common sight during the event. Ndala highlighted that within their congregation, polygamy is not only accepted but esteemed highly.
Formed in South Africa in the early 1960s, the International Pentecost Holiness Church represents a distinct blend of Pentecostal beliefs infused with indigenous customs, being an African-initiated establishment. The church is no stranger to mass weddings, having organized one in 2023 that united around 400 couples or bridal parties. However, this year’s congregation was notably the most considerable the church has ever coordinated.
The substantial number of attendees this year is attributed to numerous men opting to marry multiple wives simultaneously, explained Ndala. Remarkably, several grooms were joined by their existing spouses to witness or partake in their new marital vows.
The grand ceremony took place at the church’s headquarters, a vast dome-shaped venue located in the town of Heidelberg, close to Johannesburg, capable of hosting 60,000 participants. Before the vows, those set to wed waited patiently in lengthy white tents positioned in open fields adjacent to the church. There, they received bridal flowers, food packs, and water. Eventually, the bridal parties proceeded into the church in organized queues, with brides stunning in white gowns and grooms donning matching white suits accented with red ties.
In South Africa, polygamy is legally recognized provided that the marriage is acknowledged as a customary union, which aligns with the church’s practices.