Veiled from head to toe, a Swahili bride sits on her wedding bed awaiting the first visit from her husband, who may not see her unveiled until their wedding night. The groom enters the bedroom carrying a small necklace made of gold or coral, lifts the curtain surrounding the bed, and places the necklace in the bride’s hand. A playful hand tussle occurs, and whoever ends up holding the necklace is believed to have the upper hand in the marriage.

From Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher’s Lamu: Kenya’s Enchanted Island