Sudanese weddings are charaterized by beautiful rituals and habits that differ than other weddings in the world. A mixture of Arab and African cultures produced the Sudanese traditions.
Sudan has a multiplicity of races and tribes with different habits, some of which are Pharaonic as in the North and some are African as in the South. However, the culture of the "middle" is the most prevailing culture in the country.
"Henna" is usually associated with women, but in Sudan the men use Henna only twice in their life. The first time would be after circumcision and the second in his marriage. Before the circumcision of a child, the family and neighbors gather at one place and put Henna to the child whose age does not exceed five or six years old. The ritual ceremony starts by putting kohl on his eyes. The child usually wears special clothes made for the occasion. At the end of the ceremony the child goes to the doctor who perform the operation, accompanied by his family, uncles and aunts who do not stop singing beautiful Sudanese sings. Ironically, the family of this child would sing the same songs in his wedding when he grows up.
The second Henna is made in the wedding. At least one week before the ceremony, the family and friends of the groom come to his house and celebrate the Henna ceremony. This occasion is characterized by the traditional songs which the uncles and aunts sing for the groom about his courage, chivalry and generosity.