An Introduction

Last weekend I was invited to the Introduction ceremony of the tea estate's IT Manager to one of the women from the factory's tasting room. This is not an "introduction" in its literal meaning. This is a traditional Ugandan ceremony that joins a couple in matrimony. It is legally binding and the two live as man and wife after the ceremony. Many couples here also have a church wedding, but that could take place years following their introduction. For this couple, their wedding is scheduled for next June. 

The event was quite elaborate with traditional costumes, dances, and rituals. Of course the entire ceremony was spoken in Rotooro so I didn't understand any of it. The group I went with kept me up to speed for the most part, but really, it was like listening to the Peanut's adults talk for six hours. Yes, six hours! I've discovered that one of the things Ugandan love to do is talk. Oh boy, give them a microphone and they will talk and talk and talk. 

The original intent of the ceremony was the introduction of the man to the girl's family to negotiate a price for the hand of the daughter. Usually there were livestock  offered along with a sum of money. In more affluent families I suspect this is all for show and good fun; "you are worth three cows, my dear". The sad truth, so I've been told, is that some girls are married off against their will for financial gain. This is usually a young girl to an older man and it is not due to greediness of the girl's family, but due to desperation. Thankfully the ceremony I witnessed was not such a case. 

In the first part of the ceremony, a group of young girls were paraded out so the groom, best man, and the men of the groom's family could "look" for the bride. The looking entailed the men walking by each if the girls and shaking their heads to say she was not the one. Then they gave them little gifts and sent them away. Obviously the bride was not among those girls. 

Then another group of girls, these ones a bit older, were paraded out. Again the groom and his party "looked" for his intended bride. She was not in this group either so gifts were given out and the girls were sent away. 

Finally the bridal party was paraded out and the groom identified his choice. Gifts were given and everyone danced. 

These professions dancers absolutely amazed me. It was a wonder how they kept their hips moving so their grass/fur wraps kept movement to the beat if the music. 

After the entertainment came lunch and then the bridal party returned wearing their wedding costumes. 

The men did a crazy half dance/half march toward the women. The groom was the one with flowers on his lapel, walking right behind the closest man wearing a gown. I beleive that man was the groom's father because was the one that did all of the talking during the negotiation part if the ceremony. 

Here come the men dancing up to the women. There were more speeches and then papers to sign. Then the happy couple cut the cake and everyone brought up gifts. 

And that, my friends, is a Ugandan Introduction.