Our First Rwandan Wedding

 We gathered at school where the ladies got help getting dressed in our
imishanana. 

 We didn't leave until the groom called to say we should head to the event, so there was time for photos.

Sweet Presley draws a crowd. One of the gals in our van told us that people were saying in Kinyarwanda, "Come and see a really cute kid." And they did.

Presley wasn't sure what to think of all that attention.

Waiting...

 Things are about to get started. This is the groom and our friend Jill. 

He calls her Mama Jill and asked her to stand in as one of his family members for the wedding.

Let the festivities begin!

This is the gusaba - the dowery ceremony.

 We were in the groom's tent.
Jeph (the groom) is the one holding the furry cane. 

The bride's tent is on the opposite side,
so that each group is facing the other.

Two guys with microphones did a lot of talking.

Somehow, we ended up in the front row for awhile. That meant we got soda.

Now it is time for negotiations.

  Instead of cows, the groom gave the bride's family an assortment of yard tools, a big orange tub, and a brand new large jerry can. It's yellow. Jerry cans are used here by people of all ages. You can see even the smallest children carrying water in them to take home to their families.  

Now a "herdsman" from each party goes out to inspect the "cows" together.

 The herdsmen come back and sing about how great the cows are.

There was a lot of joking and laughter, but there was also a moment of making the bride feel guilty for leaving her family. Traditionally, the Rwandese bride is not supposed to show emotion during the ceremony. Our bride was teary, just for a little bit.

The groom had a few tears too, especially during this song.
Have a listen. You might love it.

We made it through our first gusaba.

Congratulations Jeph and Esperance!