XIMHUNGWE, South Africa — A 9-year-old boy has married a 62-year-old woman to appease his dead ancestors, according to the Daily Mirror.
Sanele Masilela, 9, married Helen Shabangu, 62, for the second time, after marrying her last year as part of a ritual.
The Mirror reports that Masilela was visited by dead ancestors who told him to wed Shabangu.
They say they married again to make it “official.”
Some in the villiage of Ximhungwe have called the whole thing “sickening.” However, the two will not live together and Sanele said he still plans to marry a woman his own age when he is older.
“I’m very happy that the boy chose me and my family support and understand that it is part of making ancestors happy,” Shabangu said. “One day Sanele would grow normally and have family of his own and get married one day, all this ceremony is for making ancestors happy. We are playing.”
Sanele’s family believes, had they not wed to please their ancestors, something bad would have happened.
