Katie's Giveaway!

 

Once again Grace and I- and now our little sister, Emalai as well- were honored to be a part of a dear friend's cultural marriage. We packed up in the car and once again headed to Akisim (where Agumo Lois had her wedding- see the previous post). This time we were "bridesmaids" for Katie. Although she is from Akisim, Katie has lived for years with a family next door to us. She first came for school, but stayed even after completing primary education. Katie has become a dear friend to us Shaarda girls. She's spunky, has a cute smile, loves laughing, helped her host family with chores without complaint, and is known for saying, "mistakes are common".

While our family was stuck in the States due to Covid, Katie met Anthony, a Catholic neighbor. Anthony began vocalizing his interest in Katie, to which she replied, "I want to get married God's way. Are you willing to do that?" Anthony said his was. So, Uncle/Pastor Charles- the dad of the family Katie stayed with until getting married- had a serious talk with him. Charles felt confident Anthony was truly born again and committed to Katie's wellbeing.

Katie waited months to get married. On February 1st, her cultural marriage rolled around...

Our full car on the way to Akisim. We counted 17 passengers in the car! We had kids on laps, in the trunk, and even one sitting on the floor.

The crowd. Katie's family rented a few tents, lots of chair and loud speakers. Everything was set up in a currently uncultivated garden next to the compound.

Dozens of kids and teens from the community came uninvited to watch.

Waiting to get dressed

The house where the girls got ready. There was one door, dozens of bodies and no windows. In other words, HOT! We were all sweating profusely and longing for the moment we got to go out. Traditionally, the bride and her entourage cannot be seen until it's their time to dance before the crowd. Grace, Emalai and I bent the rules a bit by escaping into the fresh air for a couple minutes to take pictures (which you'll see bellow).

A local hairdressing teacher from our village tagged along to help the girls with their makeup. (Never mind we sweated most of it off!) In the above picture, she is bedazzling the bride.

Finally time for me to get my gomesi on! This is a traditional dress in Uganda, usually worn by middle aged or older women. The exception is cultural marriages, where the bride's "parade" is dressed in gomesi's no matter their age.  

First, a long strip of fabric has to be stretched out and folded up accordion style.

Then, a small strip of fabric is tied tightly around the waist. After it comes the large, decorative belt, which is wrapped around the waist then slipped through both the tight string and belt loop.

Chilling on the papyrus reed mat. 

Auntie Margret (who is folding the gomesi) is Uncle Charles' wife. We could not have gotten dressed and organized without her. Auntie Margret is compassionate, a talented singer, a leader spirit, on fire for the Lord and a good mama to eight children, one grandchild and the child of a prison inmate.

Grace and Emalai ready to hit the stage! Grace is wearing a traditional Teso wrapper, while Emalai had a dress made of silky fabric.

The girls' makeup was a few shades lighter than their skin. They teased each other that they were becoming mzungus- white people :)

Almost ready... still hot and waiting.

(Left to right) Me, Akello Ruth, Aguti Faith and Acilli Sarah. All neighbor girls from Obule.

Katie, Rhoda, Grace and Faith looking glamorous!

Katie waiting to claim her fiancé, soon to be husband.

The flower girls... minus the flowers. Lydia, Dorcus and Hope are all daughters of Charles and Margret. They were like sisters to Katie when she stayed with them.

Finally lining up! Grace and the team of girls in wrappers went out first. They received lollipops- "sweets"- as "transport" to return, because none of them were the bride. Afterwards, the ladies in gomesi's lined up and prepared to escort Katie to center stage.

Of course, one can't simply walk into the center of the crowd. It must take at least ten minutes of dancing! My personal favorite part of the day :)

Gomesi girls kneeling so the groom's family cannot see our faces when they come to select who is the bride.

After choosing Katie, a female relative of the groom presented her with a gift. We then dance off the stage and get Katie into her changing dress, in which she will spend the remainder of the ceremony.

Lined up and ready to dance back out the second time!

Because the social acceptability of people crowding close to stare, some of the young men found sticks that looked like guns and kept the crowd (somewhat) back. People laughed and called these "security guards" afunde, which is a title for a military or police officer.

How precious that I get to experience this with my two wonderful sisters!

This is Juliet, the eldest child of Charles and Margret. Juliet went through a rough season a few years back. When my family returned from the States, Juliet was leaving for the capital to find work as a nanny and house help. However, she was allowed to come back for the holidays. Juliet has found a renewed, powerful joy in the Lord! She led worship with enthusiasm nearly every Sunday while home. She even convinced her boss to let her stay home for the outreach to Moruisiru and Katie's wedding. I miss Juliet, who has now returned to the capital, but am proud of her for taking her faith along to spread there.

The entire bridal team!

Grace and the girls in traditional wrappers.

Makai doesn't exactly enjoy sitting still to watch the ceremony. Instead, he played on a motorcycle under Dad and Luka's supervision.

Makai wasn't the only child enjoying a park vehicle. The neighborhood kids loved climbing on the tipper truck that brought the crowd from Obule to the marriage.

Dad, Makai and I went for a stroll in the magnificent pine forest next door while the ceremony wrapped up. There are few sounds I appreciate more than wind blowing calmly through pine needles.

Time to pack up the chairs and tents. Next stage is a Catholic wedding in Obule...

Note: Photos with me in them are taken by my mom. I'm thankful for her talented photography!