Uganda style wedding announcement

Francis, our milkman, called recently to invite me to the wedding meeting happening between his family and the family of the young man who will marry his 2nd daughter. I said Yes and went to his home about 1:30 in the afternoon.

When I arrived, everyone there was cleaning in preparation except for one woman, and a girl about 3 years of age. Women and girls were cleaning the steps into the set of rooms where the family lives. The shade tents and chairs were already set up. I was invited to sit and relax. The little girl was curious about me, but very shy, initially at least.

About 15' beyond the sitting area two young scrawny puppies were given a thorough ear washing by their equally thin mom. All these dogs had the shape of greyhounds, tho not as large, and were the beautiful golden color of many of the African dogs around here. A clucking sound preceded the appearance of a mother hen and 5 chicks. They came through the middle of the area several times. One time the hen went under a coffee table that had been brought out. She found some bugs to her liking and knocked them down for the chicks to get. The next trips she and her brood made through the area all included another careful look at the under side of the tables.

The party finally began, about 3:30 or so, with the arrival of the prospective groom's father, spokesman, and other family members and friends. The first contingent was 9 people, later joined by 3 ladies in fine looking gomesi (traditional gowns) and then later by 2 more men. Of the men, only 3 were in suits, 2 of them with ties. The others were dressed in slacks and sports shirts.

The brides side had about 40 people, a bit more men than women. Among the men, the two eldest wore the traditional kanzu, a long cream colored tunic over trousers, with a dark jacket over the top. Some of the other men were in suits, no ties, with the rest dressed casually. Most of the women wore fancy dresses or outfits, but only one wore a gomesi. Neither the bride or groom were present for this initial meeting of the families.

The verbal exchanges were given by the spokesman for each side. Roughly translated it went something like this.
Brides side: Welcome to our humble home.
Grooms side: Thank you. It is very wonderful, spacious, well constructed. Thank you for the rest and the shade.
Brides side: Where are you from? Do we know people in common?
Grooms side: We are from the west and we have at least family members who know each other well.
B.S. Oh, who are they?
G.S. Our oldest son and your second daughter.
B.S. Aiii how can that be, since we do not know each other? What mischief is your son up to?
G.S. We were wondering the same thing? What is your daughter doing away from your sight that she has meetings we did not know about?

The conversation and exchanges went on for several hours, during which it was established that the fathers, while not having made the match, trusted the judgement of their offspring. However, since the young man bore more responsibility, a fine was levied on that family of one cow. Then began the negoitations for the price for the dowry. Finally that was settled as 4 cows and 500,000/=. When that is paid, there will be the formal introduction meeting, a much larger party and the wedding date will be set then.

There were sodas and beer given out twice during the negoiations, as it was hard work :). The affair ended with everyone being served a huge plate of food (matooke, rice, boiled potatoes and some meat) with another soda. By 9 pm I was ready to go home and they were just bringing out the music and entertainment!

What a blessing to have been included.