Wedding

Yesterday I had the opportunity to witness my first marriage in Zambia. In many ways the celebration was similiar to US weddings. The bride wore a beautiful wedding gown and was accompanied by bridesmaids in beautiful gowns. The groom was formally dressed and the groomsmen wore matching traditional shirts. The bride arrived appropriately late (but fortunately, not as late as some; this was only forty-five minutes late). The wedding procession was somewhat chaotic until the bride entered with her uncle.

The couple were quite nervous, so I made it a goal to get them to smile; and finally, I was successful. The music was beautiful and in Bemba by a local church choir. Following the vows, family matrons bring forward gifts from the couple for the church (potatoes, fruit, flower, a cake). At the conclusion of the Mass, the couple and their sponsors (much like hispanic weddings) come to the altar for the signing of the wedding papers.