The Egg Sharing Rite

The Egg Sharing Rite

On the wedding night, the first encounter between the bride and groom begins with the ceremony of sharing the egg. The traditional beautician, the Zianna (henna artist), cuts a boiled egg in two. She gives each spouse one half, then asks them to exchange their halves before eating them.

This egg-sharing ceremony is rich in symbolism. In traditional imagery, the egg represents life, fertility, fecundity, and continuity. Sharing the egg equally expresses the couple’s commitment to share life’s burdens equally and their willingness to assume family responsibilities together as a united and supportive partnership.