After a meeting on Tuesday with Mr Lwasa and Sam, Sam said, "are you free Saturday the 25th?"
Corey looked at his calendar on his phone and replied, "The 25th is a Tuesday."
Sam looked at Corey's phone and clarified, "Not February, January."
Silly mzungu thinking things were being planned over a month in advance!
"I am being given a bride. You two, but not her," he said as he pointed to Asia, "are invited. February 1 is the reception in Munonyo. Everyone will attend that."
So over the next two weekends, we will be involved in Sam's wedding. I was told I could wear a nice dress of my choice but Corey had to wear a suit. I also had the option of wearing the traditional clothing for the Western tribe which is not a gomesu as Mum and I wore to Muhamad's wedding. Of course I volunteered to wear the traditional dress. Today I will go to Mr Lwasa's house to be fitted as his wife is the one taking responsibility for the dresses.
We are not sure what to expect with this "being given a bride" ceremony. Sam does have to pay a bride price which will include giving her father many cows (between 20 and 30 depending on who you ask.)
According to Ediga, we are travelling to Ntungamo, a town past Mmbarara so at least 250km away and a good 5-6 hours drive. Apollo thinks we will have to stay overnight and that we will be served a lot of local food including milk and beef as they are cattle herders. He also thinks there will be a church service on the 1st followed by a reception where everyone is invited and possibly an after-party. Because it is a different tribe, the traditions vary. He's not sure about gifts.
One thing is constant however, weddings are very expensive in Uganda and require many wedding meetings with many people.
Corey has emailed Sam and asked to meet him because as a mzungu, he wants to know what we should expect. It will certainly be a new cultural experience no matter what. I'll keep you posted!
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