Winti spiritual leader Ramon Mac-Nack (L) and his bride Melissa Karwafodi toast after being wedded in the first Winti marriage ever to be held in public, in district Para, Suriname, November 16, 2015. The Winti religion, which formed centuries ago out of elements of different religious traditions that African slaves brought with them to Suriname, was considered a form idolatry and prohibited by law since the days of slavery until it was finally officially recognized in 1971. Marriages under Winti tradition have only been permitted by law since 2011, but this is the first ever in public according to Winti wedding counselor Kortencia Sumter-Griffith. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Surinamese bride Melissa Karwafodi throws a traditional cloth to her female guests after she was wedded in the first Winti marriage ever to be held in public, in district Para, Suriname, November 16, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Winti spiritual leader Ramon Mac-Nack (center R) and his bride Melissa Karwafodi are wedded by a Maroon priest (2nd L) in the first Winti marriage ever to be held in public, in district Para, Suriname, November 16, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Winti spiritual leader Ramon Mac-Nack (center R) and his bride Melissa Karwafodi stand under a ceremonial cloth as they are wedded in the first Winti marriage ever to be held in public, as a Maroon priest (R) presides in district Para, Suriname, November 16, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Winti spiritual leader Ramon Mac-Nack (2nd L) looks on as as his bride Melissa Karwafodi (2nd R) hands a gourd to a Maroon priest (L) as they are wedded in the first Winti marriage ever to be held in public, in district Para, Suriname, November 16, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Winti spiritual leader Ramon Mac-Nack (center R) and his bride Melissa Karwafodi are wedded by a Maroon priest (2nd L) in the first Winti marriage ever to be held in public, in district Para, Suriname, November 16, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Dutch migrants Reggio de Jong (L) and Elisabeth Cobben kiss during their wedding ceremony in the second public marriage ever held under the African-American Winti religion in district Para, Suriname, November 18, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Dutch migrants Reggio de Jong (L) and Elisabeth Cobben hold hands during their wedding ceremony in the second public marriage ever held under the African-American Winti religion in district Para, Suriname, November 18, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Dutch migrants Reggio de Jong (L) and Elisabeth Cobben (2nd L) hold hands as they are wedded by priest Dorenia Babel (C) in the second public marriage ever held under the African-American Winti religion in district Para, Suriname, November 18, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Dutch migrants Reggio de Jong and Elisabeth Cobben share coconut milk from a gourd during their wedding ceremony in the second public marriage ever held under the African-American Winti religion in district Para, Suriname, November 18, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





Dutch migrants Reggio de Jong (L) and Elisabeth Cobben (2nd L) hold hands as they are wedded by priest Dorenia Babel (C) in the second public marriage ever held under the African-American Winti religion in district Para, Suriname, November 18, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)





The children of Dutch migrants Reggio de Jong (L) and Elisabeth Cobben have their hands washed during their parents' wedding ceremony in the second public marriage ever held under the African-American Winti religion in district Para, Suriname, November 18, 2015. (Photo by Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters)