The Introduction constitutes the Traditional wedding and usually falls one week before the Western wedding service - usually in a church. In the case of Peter, who comes from the Kingdom of Buganda, it is also full of tradition and custom. For many Ugandans, they view themselves as officially married following this celebration as it constitutes a formal wedding service.
The Introduction is held at the home of the bride and includes the presentation of the dowry to her family. There is a lot at stake in this regard, as the father of the bride can refuse his daughter's hand in marriage if he's not sufficiently impressed. Peter was required to provide 2 cows (I paid for one @ 1.1 million shillings), 2 goats, 10 chickens, 300kg of rice, 300kg of maise, 1000+ 500mL bottles of soda, a butchered hind leg of a cow, 75 hand-woven baskets filled with fresh fruit, vegetables, butter, tea bags and tinned food, 50 bags of powdered milk, outdoor furniture, flowers, suitcases, clothes, umbrellas, a map of the Kingdom of Buganda, a print of the King of Buganda and a large amount of freshly picked leafy-green vegetable that constitutes the 'muckertay' or deal-sealer.
Joeline's parents live on the outskirts of Kampala on a large parcel of land. As there were around 1000 guests, there were probably more than 300 cars parked on the block. There were also four large tents - one for Joeline's family (holding approx. 75 people), one for Peter's family and guests (holding approx. 150 people), one for Joeline's guests (holding approx. 750 people) and one for much of the official proceedings (in the centre). The three tents faced the smallest tent in the middle.
As guests of the groom we were asked to meet at the Ndere Cultural Centre at 12 noon. Vincent led the formalities which included speeches, prayers and instructions for the day. After hearing these messages we drove to Joeline' house. We parked on their back yard and walked to the official tents.
According to custom, we were asked to enter the celebration in 2 rows - one for men wearing Kunzu's and one for women wearing Gomezi's. We entered to the sound of traditional music, traditional dancing and traditional drums - courtesy of the Ndere Dance Troupe from the Cultural Centre.
The official ceremony commenced with a Family 'Speaker! (or MC) from both families competing for the affection of the crowd - to and fro with jokes and prayers.
Following this, six bridesmaids danced into the ceremony followed by six flower girls. According to custom, the groom's Speaker and his Assistant gives each of these girls gifts. I understand the significance of their arrival is to 'tease' the groom - as none of these girls are his 'wife to be'. The ladies were all wearing matching Gomezi's and looked AMAZING!
Following this, a selected number of guests - the 'elders of each family' - entered Joeline's home for official photographs, prayer, private gift giving and a family meal. This lasted about 1 hour.
For fhs first half of the ceremony, Peter 'hid' amongst his guests. Once it was established that Peter and his family were credible, Peter moved to the front of his guests and was accompanied by an aunt from Joeline's side of the family, the one who vouches for his good character and noble intentions. They sit on a lovely leather lounge suite facing the middle tent.
Following this, all guests were invited to enjoy lunch. This was served buffet-style. We entered the home and sat around large round tables set in a very large lounge room. We were served matoke, rice, G-nut sauce, chicken, beef, casava, pineapple and coleslaw - and plenty of it!
During inch, there was more dancing, more girls and more gift-giving outside. This was repeated multiple times - with one exception - when six men came into the centre tent and were given gifts from the bride's Speaker.
Following lunch, ALL guests from the groom's side were ushered outside to a waiting pick-up truck full of dowry gifts. One by one we carried them into the celebrations and presented them to Joeline's side of the family by placing them on the ground in front of their family tent. There were two lines of people walking in the gifts - one for men and the other for women.
Following formalities between Peter and Joeline, selected guests of the bride walked the gifts into the family home. I understand these gifts will be distributed throughout the family.
Towards the end of the ceremony, the groom's Speaker and Assistant invited selected guests of the groom to present framed pictures to Joeline's parents. These included a framed print of the King of Buganda and a framed map of the Kingdom of Buganda. As this is quite a significant part of the service, I felt very honoured to be asked to participate in this.
Throughout the celebrations there was lots of traditional dancing and traditional drumming.
Joeline and her brother then cut the Presentation cake - a traditional design, but five-tiers high. Apparently Peter wasn't able to do this as he wasn't fully married as yet. This was distributed to all guests. It was a traditional Ugandan mixture - a little like a heavy ginger sponge.
Prior to the formal speeches from Joeline's father, Peter's sister gave Joeline a 'love' gift on behalf of Peter. Annette explained the symbolism behind the various gifts. Following this, Joeline gave Peter a 'sustaining' gift as she and Peter will live apart for a further week. This was a very intimate and romantic moment.
The celebration finished in a similar way to a Western wedding - the couple (and their bridal party) stood together while guests walked past and gave them hugs and greetings.
The 'official' photographer sold a large collection of photos he had taken throughout the course of the day. Bridesmaids also gave guests a bottle of sparkling Apple Juice to help commemorate the special day.
We returned to Kisaasi well into the evening. The celebration took about six hours and was very memorable. For the record, all proceedings took place in Lugandan.
May God bless Peter and Joeline - and their respective families.
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