PHOTO TAKEN 11SEP03 - Rafick Soilihi, 31, the groom in a "great marriage" in the...

PHOTO TAKEN 11SEP03 - Rafick Soilihi, 31, the groom in a "great marriage" in the Indian Ocean Comoros islands, places his hand on the head of his bride, Natacha Soufianne, 33, as he takes his marital vows, while a relative listens, 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 many 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 priveleges such as the right to speak at certain kinds of public meetings.