Rosemary weds Solomon

Last weekend, I traveled to Hoima (about four hours north by
northwest of Mukono) to attend one of my student’s introduction and wedding,
and to visit my friend, the Rev. Cindy Larsen. 
Cindy’s been on my neck (as we say) to come upcountry, and Rosemary’s
nuptials provided the perfect opportunity.

At the reception with Cindy Larsen, my gracious host. 

I’ve attended other introductions, but this is a different
tribe, so I wasn’t quite sure how things would progress.  In the main, it worked as I expected:  the bride’s family and friends were seated,
and then the groom’s family entourage arrived. 
Different groupings of females (usually beginning with children and
working up through teens to women) came out of the house, dancing, and then knelt
on the mat for the groom to determine whether the bride was there.  Of course she’s not, but the girls were
rewarded with small gifts.

The girls were so lovely in their gomesi (traditional dresses)!

Since Rosemary is ordained, one of the groups that came out
was a set of Anglican priests!  It was
just fabulous.  It was all the more
fabulous because the one designated to give the ladies their gifts was a Muslim
man.  Oh, the irony!  I was laughing too hard to take pictures at
that point.

Each side has an emcee, and towards the end of the parade,
the groom’s emcee implored the bride’s emcee to bring her, whether by car or by
helicopter (accompanied by sound effects, because there’s always a DJ).  And so Rosemary emerged, accompanied by her
maids, to much fanfare and cheering.  

Solomon then followed the procedure for “choosing” Rosemary, and then
the groom’s entourage went to get the dowry. 
The Western influence has caused there to be some consternation over the
word dowry, so now I hear it being referred to as “gifts” rather than a dowry,
though that is what it is.  The bride
price had been negotiated previously, and had Solomon failed to bring the
entire gift, there would have been serious repercussions. 

Then certificates were signed and exchanged, and Rosemary
and Solomon were be considered to be culturally, or traditionally,
married.  However, since they are
Christians, they must be wedded in church. 
To me, being married and being wed are synonymous, but in Africa, the
distinction is critical.

Another joy was seeing several of my students, who are
Rosemary’s classmates, as well as a couple graduates.  Denis, one of my students, saw me, and his
eyes lit up.  When he came to greet me,
he informed me that I made his day. 
That, of course, blessed me tremendously. 

L to R:  Eriab, current student; Flossy, graduate;
someone’s wife and daughter; Denis’ wife and daughter; Esther, current
student.  Back:  James, current student; Denis, current
student; Asaph, current student; a first year student.

We were blessed with a short rainstorm (because rain is
always a blessing) while Rosemary and Solomon went from one side to another,
being received and welcomed into each family. 
While those of us in the tents scooted back to avoid getting wet, the
maids had to stand in the rain and wait for Rosemary to finish.  I hope they get extra rewards in heaven for
that!

The wedding the next day was lovely.  Rosemary has served the diocese faithfully
for many years, and she is dearly loved. 
The cathedral was completely full of people who came to see “their girl”
wed.

The reception was a joyous extension of the service; the
tents were labeled, which assisted greatly with seating.  

When it was time to bring the gifts, I joined the line to
present the gift to Rosemary and Solomon, and the maids formed an assembly line
to stack the gifts on the stage.  

The maid brigade was hard at work; I joined the line early.

The
line is rather long here, and it had to have repeated itself at least twice.  Cindy and I were joking that they won’t ever
need anything, because they’ve been given everything they need.

It was a lovely weekend of fellowship and rejoicing.  Please join me in praying for Rosemary and Solomon as they begin their new life together.