The Grand Marriage is the biggest and most well prepared occasion in Grande Comore. It is formally known in the local language as Anda. The Anda existed in Grande Comore for many centuries and observed by many generations, and still practiced in a similar method up to nowadays. However, some Anda activities and customs can vary from regions to regions and village to village in Grande Comore. But the idea, the fundamentals and purpose remain basically the same. Some regions or even Towns and Village of Grande comore may substitute certain activities of of the Anda with activities that are considered to be more religious orientated. Some regions may even have different names and dissimilar methods of performing Anda festivities and partying in diverse style. But in order to be able to give to our audience a general overview of the Anda with specific and accurate account on this issue, we will base and focus our attention on the way is conducted in the Bambao region, mainly in the Village of Selea-Bambao.

The Anda (Grand Marriage) activities and celebrations vary from Island to island, but the most unique, and traditionally popular is the style of Grande Comore. It is an immense overblown, out of proportion Wedding. It requires considerable number of months or even years of careful preparation and expensive planning as well as good organisation to pull it off.
The Anda in the Bambao region last for a period of 9 days. It consists of different varieties of activities and festivities accompanied by feasts, Traditional music and entrainments over the nine days period.
The activities, festivities and the privileges enjoyed by those who done the Anda are the primary reasons that make many people want to do it, so that they can own status amongst the village’s social hierarchy.

Towns and Villages communities in Grande Comore formed according to age group and social status. The higher among all other group is the sets of Wanru-wababa ‘for plural’, Mrombaba ‘for singular’, or wanru-wadzima ‘for plural’/Mrumdima ‘for singular’.
Months’ even years before the Grand Marriage is been decided when it will take place, certain activities must be performed before the actual period arrived. The purpose of these activities is to hint members of the public about one's intention of doing the Anda one day in the near future.

The purpose of the Anda

The Anda owns the person who done it the title of Mrumbaba/ mrumdzima. The term Mrumbaba literally means a man who father children and his able to assume fully the responsibilities of his family. But according to the Grande Comorian social structure, Mrumbaba simply means a man who performed the Grand Marriage (Anda) The title also means a distinguish gentleman who is well recognised by everyone in villages and Towns social hierarchy. He is also known as a grand notable.
The Anda also entitles the person who done it to wear a special, long and traditional Wrap know in the local language as mharuma on his shoulders so that when people see him, they will recognise his title as Mrumbaba.

Each Grande Comorian Village and Town has an outdoor place known as Bangwe (a public place). marked with two high gateways. This is where every major decision concerning life in the village is normally executed. Briefly this place (Bangwe) can be defined as an olden day parliament. It is a place where the adults’ males’ members of the Village would gather to discuss all issues that concern life in the village. Many other activities, such as traditional games and music normally performed in this place too.

Only men who have done the Grand Marriage (Anda) may participate in the councils. Men, women, youths and those who can not afford to do the Grande Marriage are excluded from these councils of decision making. Therefore, according to the grand Comorian traditional it is vital for those who wish to enjoy the title of Mrumbaba and participate in the process of decision making in all villages affairs must perform the Anda.

Economic factors

Economic factors, however, some times can dictate how and when one should perform the Grand Marriage. Some people are able to do it without relying on the help of members of relatives, families and friends. Nonetheless, the majority depend greatly on relatives, family and friends to assist them financially to perform this affair (Anda). For some people it can take them years to save up for this grand event.

Although, these days some people may do it in different and moderate fashion, but the purpose and the ground rules for the Grand Marriage remain most the same as it was decades passed by.
The team www.bangazoselea-surlweb.org measured that it has covered most of the activities and festivities that take place during the Grand Marriage period. However if you have any question concerning the way the Anda is bee portray in this Web Site, please do not hastate to contact the team of www.bangazoselea-surleweb.org at: info@bangazoselea-surleweb.org. Our experts on this subject will be please to answer any question that you may have concerning the Grand Marriage and the way normally performed in the Bambao region, particularly in the Village of Selea.
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