The Kasiki/Wedding

Wow! The wedding was more beautiful than I could have ever dreamt of.  Wedding for a queen!  When I arrived in Uganda I was still going around with the team I can with and planned to do everything they were doing. One day we went out to go digging in some gardens and I was told to stay in the shade and not to do a thing. They didn't want me to get scratched, bruised, or burnt. Haha. They later told me that in their culture, the bride is usually not seen a week before the wedding. She is supposed to stay in a dark room, in her bed, resting. The most she will do is lift her arms for someone to rub oil on her! (:  Aleto and Brenda gave me dance lessons. Told me that I will be the center of attention and everyone will be watching to see how I dance. This white girl found it hard to dance the way they do. I'm just not that coordinated! haha.

Thursday night was the wedding Kasiki (usually the night before the wedding). The Kasiki is held at the grooms home. It's 1 big dance party that lasts all night long! We arrived to music you could hear a mile down the road. Earlier that day, they killed and skinned a goat for the Kasiki feast. You could see it cooking on the grill in the corner of the yard. I had to go around to every person to greet, introduce myself, and thank them for coming. Of course, there was a bride and groom dance to start the party off. Glad it was a dark but I danced! (:

Friday they allowed me to take a nap (bride needs rest) and then they took me to a local "Salon" (Saloon - is how they say it) to get my nails done and get the african dirt off my feet. Was told that if I got dirt on my feet again, they would hurt me.

Saturday was the wedding! Got up at 5am to get to the Salon by 6 so they could do my hair and all my girls. Learned that 6am means 7:30 African time. Wedding was supposed to start at 10am. At 11am we were still in the salon and I was getting worried. LATE!! But someone came in to reasure me that they are supposed to wait on me and I am not to rush 1 bit and to take my time. The cars arrived at 11:30 to pick us up and take us to The Source of the Nile Gardens. I figured that the groom and grooms men would already be there but no. Our car pulls into a gas station and pulls up right next to the groom and his car. All the girls in my car (including me) started screaming at Ivan to turn around and for the driver to drive away. I quickly laid down in the car as flat as I could with my dress. Sheesh. We finally move on without him seeing me. We arrive at 12noon and everyone is waiting. 2 hours late for my wedding but they tell me I am not late and I am right on time. (: The place was beautiful. Cool breeze, sun was out, plenty of shade, and the nile river right next to us. 20 min later, I walked down the isle in my daddy's arm to meet my Ivan. He looked so handsome standing there waiting for me. We said, I do! I felt like a celebrity. Cameras all up in our faces all day long. counted 15 cameras at one time. Danced back up the isle and took lots of pictures. The decorations, tents, flowers, food, and hours of entertainment was amazing! Tribal dancers, Sonrise Childrens Choir, more dancers, singers, and speeches.  

 

 

After the cake cutting, he took cake to my family to serve them and I took cake to his family to serve them. I met his grandmother (87 years old) through this. Then we went and served each other cake and Mountain Dew (:  Made our speeches and danced some more. We had over 800 people at the wedding. I am so glad I was able to share it with my parents, sister, best friend, new family, and team. Many came from Canada and the UK to join us for the wedding too. All the Aunties, Church members, Mirembe girls, and Sonrise children/babies were all there.

So thankful for my wonderful husband, siblings,  and his team of friend who planned this beautiful wedding. I love you all!