An eight-year-old boy in South Africa married a 61-year-old woman so that his dead ancestors would be happy.

Sanele Masilela could already be Helen Shabangu's child or grandchild, but the very odd pair tied the knot in a wedding ceremony.

The eight-year-old boy said that his dead ancestors had told him to wed the mother of five and his family agreed fearing the divine retribution from the spirits. The family paid for the bride as well as the wedding which was prepared in only a span of two months.

The unlikely wedding was held in Tswahe, South Africa which was witnessed by around 100 guests. Sanele was dressed up a suit and a bow tie and exchanged rings and a kiss with his bride. The family who shocked the community said that the marriage was only a ritual and not legal binding.

"This is the first time this has happened in the family. Sanele is named after his grandfather, who was never had a white wedding before he died so asked Sanele to get married. He chose Helen because he loves her," Sanele's mother, Patience Masilela, said.

"By doing this we made the ancestors happy. If we hadn't done what my son had asked then something bad would have happened in the family. I didn't have a problem with it because I know it's what the ancestors wanted and it would make them happy," she added.

Sanele and Helen did not sign any marriage certificate. They don't have to live together, in fact, they have both gone back to their normal lives. Sanele said that he hopes he would have a wedding to a woman his own age when he becomes older but as of now, the 8-year-old boy said he was happy and willing regarding the wedding.

"I told my mother that I wanted to get married because I really did want to," he said. "I'm happy that I married Helen - but I will go to school and study hard. When I'm older I will marry a lady my own age."