wedding introduction

one of the big occasions in a Uganda is the wedding and the funeral. Bith events are a family and social event, that will invite a lot of people (families are huge) and oblige the host to show of his wealth and generosity.

i was invited to the INTRODUCTION CEREMONY of my GTZ colleague Winni(fred) and we went with the hole team of colleagues to family village 1.5 hours from Kampala.
an INTRODUCTIOn is where the 2 families of the bride and the broom met. The bride and her family are introducted to the brooms family. and then the brooms family has to give presents to the bride. exchange of engagement rings, cake cutting etc..
The whole ceremony takes about 6 hours and ends with dinner. both families have a MC, who is guiding through the fixed steps of this introduction, and trying to make some jokes etc... also it is interesting, that really everyone is dressed traditional: the women wear the "GOMEZ'- a ugandan long dress in terrible polyster, and a mix between sari, kimono and the top with puff-sleaves.
The men dress a long grown (also in polyester) and a dark jacket.
its a bit crazy that this event can cost up to 6-8 Mio USH (3000 EurO) and then the wedding, that follows soon will be even bigger and costs start from 10 Mio to 40 Mio (5.000-20.000 EURO)
i enjoyed that afternoon, although it was damn hot and the ceremony was in Luganda-language, but to participate in more of such events can be quite boring.

Winni's aunties are introduced.

The King of Buganda is hailed

this are only a small part of the presents for Winni & her family. i liked very much that women are bringing cooking ingredients, and the men the beer!

now Winni is officially engaged to Richard

my colleague Florian
and the GTZ trainees all in Ugandan style