THE BRIDE AND GROOM DANCE AT A "GREAT WEDDING" IN THE INDIAN OCEAN COMOROS ISLANDS, 2003-09-11...

Rafick Soilihi, 31, the groom in a "great marriage" in the Indian Ocean Comoros islands, dances with his bride, Natacha Soufianne, 33, as relatives wave bank notes at a wedding ceremony, September 11, 2003. The "great marriage" is a colourful tradition on the main Comoros island of Grande Comore which dates back hundreds of years. Under the tradition, the groom must provide gifts of gold to the bride, which might cost an amount equivalent to thousands of U.S. dollars. Some Comorans spend much of their life savings on the jewellery and feasting required by a "great wedding," after which the husband joins an elite social rank that gives him special privileges such as the right to speak at certain kinds of public meetings. REUTERSAntony Njuguna PP03090073 AN-