The Wedding

They had been up until after 0200 planning the village ceremony, which was to start at noon.  It actually started with the arrival of the groom's family at 1430.  However, prior to that there was much decorating, with three tents erected (who knew there were wedding planners in Eastern Uganda?).  Flowers, a cake, children everywhere, decorated chairs, and the women in the back cooking.  We were fed lunch (I asked for one small "Irish" please and got three, but it was an improvement) in the back, which was good because food would be a long time coming. 

At least eight chickens were slaughtered (for 100 people--meat is scarce in Uganda), the cow had been slaughtered the night before (happily I missed that).  The chicken slaughtering was carried out by 8 year old boys with machetes, very serious indeed.  Then the feathers were singed over the fire, and the boys also plucked them, while the women removed the pin feathers and butchered them.  These are very thin tough chickens, cage free their entire lives, living on greens and few grains. 

Chicken carving

At 1300 all work stopped because word was received that the groom's village procession was arriving.  The women hurried to change, and the food left to itself.  In their finery, they arranged themselves in front of the gate to welcome the arriving village--and waited another 1 1/2 hours.  Finally, we in the audience, and those waiting greeted the entourage, about 20 people.  Their credentials had to be verified prior to entering.  Imagine how this ceremony must have evolved.  Tribes would make arrangements to meet for a "greeting ceremony", but they didn't really know each other well, and so imposters and enemies had to be avoided.  Statements of peace for the duration of the ceremony were made by both sides.

Groom's family arriving

 And then lengthy greetings of  parents, children, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and village officials from both sides began and the giving of gifts to the bride's relatives by the groom's representative .  All to music from a DJ with speakers as large as a bunk bed.  Dancers from Ngongdera, Jane's village danced. Joking back and forth was common.  The women in Eastern Uganda have a unique way of greeting each other and important strangers.  They simple fold to their knees and hold out their hand courteously.  It is done with dignity and beauty.

The Aunties and sisters

 Finally the bride was invited to come out of the house (after 3 1/2 hours!).  She arrived with her sisters and bridesmaids to meet the groom's sisters and representatives.  The Greeting Ceremony was over, and the party began.  The church service was scheduled for the next day. 

The bride