A 9-year-old boy recently renewed his vows to a woman 53 years his seniors, a year after first marrying her.

Sanele Masilela and Helen Shabangu of Tshwane, South Africa wed in 2013, claiming it was an order from their dead ancestors. The renewing of the vows was required by a local tradition which states a wedding ceremony has to be repeated at the bride’s home in order to make it official,

Although the two are married, the boy’s mother, Patience, explained in a Buzzfeedinterview, the union is only symbolic and the couple doesn’t live together or engage in any sexual relations.

“I know it’s what the ancestors wanted. If we hadn’t done what my son had asked, then something bad would have happened in the family,” she said.

The young boy said about the matter: “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.”