Crazy African Wedding – You Won’t Believe This Tradition

Hello! Today we'll be traveling through South Sudan's tribes. We'll get to know and observe them. I'll be giving this super sour candy for the locals to try. We'll also participate in a wedding where booze flows freely. Press the like button and be sure to watch till the end. I'm flying into the depths of South Sudan, the city Kapoeta, to visit other tribes. My destination is the small town of Kapoeta. Due to climate change, there was heavy rainfall. Driving would be extremely difficult. So the little plane helps me out. Hopefully the Russian hardware doesn't fail us. Look how beautiful the view is. I'm here at Kapoeta. This plane can hold 10 people and some bags. Kapoeta is tiny, so the airport's runway is made of gravel. The runway is supervised by SUVs and I'm greeted by children. It's hard to film here because of South Sudan's secret services. They dress as civilians and I already had problems with them. If it was difficult to film in Afghanistan, it's three times harder here. A worker with a whip doesn't allow the children onto the runway. If a child tries to slip through, they get punished. That's them standing within safe range. There will be order. I arrived in Kapoeta. Small, charming and tidy. Lined with alleys and full of fancy restaurants. Or so it might seem. There's a gravel road and a handful of houses. While armed soldiers are being arranged for my protection, I go take a look around. Women are laughing as they chop up fresh meat for a group of people. I witnessed an attempt by the authorities to reconcile rival tribes. They organised a village conference for tribal elders. The goal is to lay down their weapons, of which there are truckloads. Is she going to eat the rat? Yes, rat, they do eat. Eating, yeah? Looks shocking. A young girl catches a rat and will eat it. But in poor and remote areas, this is normal. In South Sudan, bushmeat, meat from wild animals, is commonly eaten. Especially in rural areas near forests and savannas. For many communities, bushmeat is a key source of protein and sustenance. Some animals are even considered delicacies and are sometimes tied to spiritual rituals. Adults hunt antelopes, wild pigs, birds and reptiles like lizards or snakes. Children, as you can see, go for smaller creatures. Bushmeat can carry diseases like ebola, listeriosis or parasites. Overhunting can also threaten certain species with extinction. Hunting is banned in national parks and reserves in South Sudan. But such bans are often ignored. I'm up on a mountain, overlooking a village surrounded by forests, palms and cliffs. I'll leave you to enjoy the scenery. I'm exploring the stunning nature of South Sudan, land that once teemed with wildlife. The Taposa people, who I'm about to visit, live in a region that used to have many elephants, especially near the borders with Kenya and Uganda. These areas were once crucial for hunting and illegal ivory trade. Elephants were hunted not just for ivory, but also for their meat as food. Ivory became a form of currency, traded for food, weapons or other valuable goods. Intense hunting for meat and ivory caused a major drop in elephant populations in South Sudan and surrounding regions. During colonial times and later periods of political instability, the ivory trade was often illegal and linked to armed groups funding. During civil wars, some groups used ivory to buy weapons and gear. So, if you happen to have real ivory at home, remember this. You may not only be linked to the killing of an elephant, but also to armed conflict and loss of human life. As I'm roaming the Taposa village, you can see these hay huts. They're for storing grains or nuts. The Taposa are one of the largest ethnic groups in South Sudan. They belong to the Nilotic peoples and speak the Taposa language. They live in remote, dry savanna and mountain regions, mostly in eastern Equatoria, near the borders with Uganda and Kenya. They are known for strong traditions, cattle herding, warrior culture and a unique lifestyle. At the tribe, I have a personal guard. People can get out of control when drunk. Cattle herding is the Taposa's main way of life. Cows, goats and sheep are symbols of wealth, prestige and social standing. The number of cattle a person owns often defines communal status and can be used to buy wives. Cattle are also a vital source of food, meat, milk and blood. Yes, blood. It's mixed with milk and consumed during droughts when food is scarce. The blood is usually taken without killing the animal by carefully piercing the vein. Cattle also play roles in religious rituals, conflict resolution and as gifts. Hair braiding is common amongst the Taposa women and some men. They braid their hair into small, intricate patterns or styles that can be highly decorative. These hairstyles can be elaborate, paired with jewellery or ritual paint. Sometimes the braids or styles are made for rituals or preparation for war. But more often, hair is kept short. They use natural tools to take care of their hair, wooden or bone combs. To moisturise and style it, they often use animal fat. Truly an impressive village. These beautiful houses are made entirely from hay and twigs and bounded together by vines. The tribe's women look interesting because of the scars on their legs. Scarification is a key part of Taposa culture. Patterns are made using sharp tools. Then the skin is treated with plants to highlight the scars. Scars usually mark the transition into adulthood. For men, they are often linked to warriorhood. Women scar their faces, bellies or chests as a standard of beauty. Raised scars are seen as signs of attractiveness and maturity. Scarred cheeks, forehead or temples often show a person's tribe or social rank. For women, belly or chest scars symbolise fertility and femininity. For men, chest scars may represent combat experience or courage. Scars on the arms or back are signs of strength and warrior spirit. He's got some chewing tobacco behind his ear. These are the pumpkin pots of the tribe. They reek of leaven. That means milk is kept here. The village is actually huge. Here alone stands about 30 huts. Let's see the inside of a hut. The woman is cleaning a pot. Notice what she's sitting on. Cowhide. Historically, the Teposa are known as warriors. They often fight with neighbouring tribes for pastures, water or cattle. They were also involved in civil wars due to their combativeness and loyalty. This is the appearance of a Teposa woman. Just look at these scars. One is depicting a bull. The other arm's the same. Very deep scars. Also of a bull. The Teposa worship nature's forces and their ancestors. The god of rain is the most significant, since rain is vital in arid regions. Earth is sacred and symbolises the importance of native land and ancestors. The Teposa woman is very decorated. Earrings of the lips and ears, African necklaces and scars. A truly striking tribe. Young girls also wear jewellery. She's even got a cross. I'll be giving some super sour candy for the locals to try. Obviously, the candy is really sour. They can't handle the sourness. They threw the candy away. It's too sour. Well, the women didn't like them that much, but the men did. I've collected the trash. I tasted the candy myself and it was incredibly sour. The tribesmen carry a Kalashnikov to protect their cattle against frequent robberies. And this guy has a metal rod for defence. Almost every local has a unique scar pattern on their forehead. This woman's scars are stunning. She's brushing her teeth with a stick and they're white and healthy. Today there's a wedding and the women are getting ready. They wear their best apparel. It's very interesting to look at yourself in the camera. Are there no mirrors here? Well, whatever the case, it's still very fun. Bride price is key in Tepoza weddings. The groom pays a certain number of cows for the bride. Marriages are often arranged between families, especially by the parents. Parents, relatives and elders play a central role in negotiating the bride price and marriage terms. Parents make most of the decisions, but the bride and groom do meet before the wedding. Emotional bonds and love are not prioritised. A man can have multiple wives, if he can pay enough cows. Polygamy is often seen as a sign of strength and that he can support more than one family. What an entrance! The tribe's women have bedazzled themselves with jewels and feathers. I was lucky to take part in a wedding ceremony. Here, it's a big and loud celebration, with relatives, friends and the whole community. There's dancing, singing, drums beating. Traditional elements fill the air with joy and unity. During the wedding, fertility rituals take place. Songs and dances honour the marriage and wish for family continuity. People have come to the wedding from various villages. There's five times more women than men. Wow, what jewellery! Look how they cover the babies so that they don't overheat. With a pumpkin! The women want to pose and look at themselves in the camera. We are bringing the water or alcohol? The Taposa make fermented drinks from local plants, like sorghum or millet grains. Usually, it's mild, traditional beer. It's served at community events and rituals like weddings, birthdays or harvest festivals. This beer carries strong social meaning. It is meant to be shared. The tribesmen are sporting real leather hiding. Ostrich feathers. And there's lots of alcohol. They've brought a canister of local beer, which they share in a pumpkin bowl. They also brought weapons to the wedding. Spears, bows, scythes, various whips. A year ago, the government took everyone's guns to prevent conflict, probably for good. Different age groups and genders spend time separately. Women, children, younger and older men all do their own thing apart. This guy with glasses and leopard hide is the groom. Seems he has lots of cows to afford a new one. The Taposa live in a region with wild plants and grasses that have psychoactive effects. They are used both in medicine and rituals. Some wild roots or herbs are chewed or brewed into tea. The effects are mildly calming or intoxicating. These herbs are used during long droughts or before battle to ease stress. The tribe also use plants that create a sense of euphoria or help numb pain. An unbelievable amount of people from nearby villages have come here. The men dance as if they're fighting invisible enemies. The women have their own traditional moves. Meanwhile, I got sprayed with some liquid, probably holy water. During weddings, rituals or other celebrations, members of the Taposa tribe use intoxicating methods to enter a trance-like state. This includes stronger alcohol, special plants or what you see now. Rhythmic dancing and drumming that lifts the mind. Such states are seen as a way to connect with ancestors, spiritual guardians or the forces of nature. The funny thing is that when I stand, the tribe's people start to touch my arm and leg hair. They don't have that. Their arms are smooth. Body hair is unusual to them. So from time to time, I feel them pinching me. A whirlwind of dance and community. It's amazing how people here live in close-knit communities, not shut away in their homes like we often are in Europe. Back home, it's mostly work and sleep. Here, it's work, connection and celebration. So, which is better? Drop a comment with your thoughts. Don't forget to hit that super thanks button below the YouTube player and I'll see you next week.