Experiencing a Kenyan Wedding. Dama weds Ivan.

There has been a flurry of activity ever since I arrived in Kenya, early March , culminating with the ceremony and festivities on Easter Sunday.

The bridal car suitably decorated, waiting for the bride.

Meru ceremonial welcome and escort from the entry gate. Kijea just had to join in.

The ceremony was due to start at 11.30 with the arrival of the bride at Mission 2. 

            The hall at Mission 2 decorated for the ceremony . Exquisite floral displays, rose petals 

scattered, candles and covered chairs all set the scene for a momentous occasion.

This mzungu, along with a couple of others, just had to rearrange the High Table. When set up it did not line up with the aisle, so we just moved it over…. unfortunately the heart of rose petals was beyond us.

Kijea, Ivan(groom) and myself awaiting the arrival of the bride.

As all the children of the orphanage were part of the ceremony, this was going to be bigger than Ben Hur! All suitably attired in new outfits for the day,  it was going to be nothing less than spectacular.

The procession started with the flower girls, followed by the group that formed a choir, then the bridal car, flanked by the Meru warriors, singing and dancing with the clanging of the bells on their calves.

Close up of the hand made ' leg bells'.

  

Dama was radiant in her favourite colour.

When the bride alighted from the car, the Meru women present broke out into a traditional welcome song, and threw down wraps for her to walk on to the door.

As with any well prepared function there can always be a hitch, and this was no different. Entry music , all prepared and timed to the minute was queued in the computer and DVD, but when the time came it was not present. The DJ was hastily summoned to provide an alternative. The children had to be encouraged to start by the compere and carers, as things had changed. Just go with the flow!

The children filed in and took their places.

Even the toddlers had a place and  strategically placed carers were on hand. 

Arrival of the Bride, flanked by her parents, supported by Bron her sponsor for many years.

 By now an hour had passed and the formal part of proceedings began. A representative of the Kenyan Government with authority to carry out civil ceremonies officiated. Likened to our Marriage Celebrant.

The most  touching part of the ceremony for me was at the end, when they were pronounced husband and wife, all the children clambered to received a hug from their Dad and Dama. Ivan has been the stability in their lives and they were extremely happy for him. Dama adds a new dimension to the large 'family', with love and care towards each one.

Dama,Ivan, Shania and Jumbe flanked by the Meru tribe in ceremonial dress.

Upon leaving the hall, and photos taken, the procession headed to the Cake tent. There was a flurry of activity to have it set up before the bride arrived.

Bride and Groom for the cake cutting.

All present were served a piece by the older girls and boys and then  the procession moved onto Mission 1 restaurant where the reception was held.

While the official photos were taken in the grounds the guests were served traditional fare smorgasbord style with staff of the orphanage helping serve.
Seats were a premium in the restaurant , with many resorting to sitting outside, on this beautiful sunny Kenyan day.
Kitchen staff were kept busy supplying food and plates and cutlery recycled with the number of people to be served.
During my time having lunch, the DJ was playing traditional music. Then Kijea told me a particular song was one he sang in church ( Catholic). I commented that I thought that it was slightly inappropriate as this was a SDA ceremony. The reply…was that it was the prerogative of the DJ what was played…. No one objected and I noticed there were a few people singing along to the track.
I headed to the kitchen to offer help and faced a mere mountain of plates, no hot water so a saucepan on a gas bottle was set up to overcome this shortfall.

Lois and I  washing up.

While we were in the kitchen, the Bride and Groom arrived into the restaurant. A small number of speeches followed which brought laughter through the door to us. 

A traditional welcome to the new couple.

The day finished into the night with dancing in the restaurant.

What an experience of a lifetime to be present at this function.

With all the children present on the day I do not recall a murmur from any of them including the toddlers during the lengthy time of the proceedings. One would hardly have known they were there.