In June 2019, Malawian-born Temwa, married her university sweetheart. But for thousands of girls back in her home country their wedding day is the worst day of their lives.
When you hear the word ‘bride’ what comes to mind?
Well if you asked me, I’d say a heap of things. I’d remember being an 8-year-old girl playing with my favourite Barbie doll, adorning her in whatever white makeshift dress I could find and making her marry Action Man. The numbers of times I can’t count. I’d remember growing out of my dolls and playing football instead, with the conviction that boys were simply gross.
I’d remember the hours, if not days, of planning that went into putting together our big day, trying my best not to become a “bridezilla” (not sure if that worked to plan). Or the day my mum told me “a Malawian bride has to have a traditional bridal shower, you can’t do without it”.