Cultural Introduction

I promised this post a while back, so apologies for the delay!  Today I will take you into the (virtual) experience of a cultural introduction between an engaged couple's families.  This introduction took place in Akisim, Soroti District, Uganda.  The introduction was between my dear friend Katie's family and the family of her fiancé, Anthony. 

Part of the compound belonging to Katie's father, where the introduction took place. We arrived at 2:30 p.m. to find the host family had been preparing and waiting for the festivities since morning.

Katie (in the middle, wearing pink) and her entourage of girls.

A first group of ladies, which does not include the bride-to-be, prepare to go out while covered by a blanket.

Waiting for festivities to start.


The first group of hidden ladies, led by another woman cheering and waving her flag.


The group dances to music blaring from a loudspeaker.  They dance around the table and mat set up before settling onto the mat, still covered by the blanket.

The girls kneeling on the mat.

Anthony's friend and youth leader examine the "blob" of ladies to decide if one of them is Katie.  The youth leader (shorter man) kept putting off the decision by declaring he wanted to transport all of these "beautiful ladies" home, but did not have the money for transport :)

After the men decide the first group does not contain Katie, the second group of hidden women emerge from the house, also draped with blankets.  This is Katie and her friends.

Dancing towards the mat

This group not only has a woman leading them, they also have ladies helping to hold the blankets in place.


Dancing around the mat

Getting the ladies into place


The youth leader and friend come out again, this time leading Anthony behind them.

Dancing around the mat with the girls

The youth leader hands the mic over to Anthony, asking him who the bride-to-be is.


Anthony points at his choice.  Is she the one???

He has chosen correctly! A group of girls drenched in sweat emerge from the blanket to face a cheering crowd.





The couple poses together for pictures.  In true Ugandan fashion, neither smiles.

The girls return to the house to change before they help serve a 4 p.m. lunch.


Of course, this wouldn't be a village experience without a hundred children at the scene, staring intently at either the mzungus (foreigners) or the party's various programs taking place.

Too cute!


Our family is extremely thankful for Katie. She is the first youth who lives in our village that has chosen to do marriage the right way.  Because of impatience and high dowry, couples normally get pregnant and live together without undergoing dowry payment, vows or a court marriage. We are proud of Katie and excited to support her.  This month her fiancé will pay dowry to her family (cultural marriage) and their church wedding is scheduled for January.  Grace and I are delighted Katie asked us to be bridesmaids and we look forward to standing with her on her special day.

 

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