I'm back-tracking
now to relive my aunties wedding on August 18, 2012. My auntie is named
Kolobetso, but people tend to call her Kolo (sounds like co-low). She was getting married to Moremi,
the father of her youngest daughter.
Since my arrival in
June, the family had been preparing for the wedding and I got to take part in
all of the wedding planning festivities. Trust me when I tell you that weddings
in Botswana are a much bigger ordeal than in the United States! It's an entire
family affair.
Extended family and
friends began arriving in Kang on Thursday and everyone's hands were busy
working on one task or another to prepare for the big event on Saturday. Our
yard was overflowing new faces, but despite the unfamiliarity, almost everyone
was sporting a giant smile and cheerful spirit. I could feel the energy, love,
and anticipation building around the ceremony to unite two people in holy
matrimony. And can you imagine? People will sleep in the same houses, all in a
row, just to stay together as family. I offered my house for people to stay -
and still, the idea of cramming people like sardines into sleeping spaces on
the floor sounds a bit more ideal. I couldn't argue with the sentimental value
behind that… 
On Friday morning,
two of my Peace Corps volunteer friends arrived to soak in the cultural
experience. Along with the rising sun, all the elders met at 6:00 am to have
the lebola negotiations. Lebola is known as the bride price and it is
usually set around 8 cows, depending on the families. Only married people are
allowed to attend the negotiations, and both families will discuss the lebola and who will be receiving cows. I loved
seeing the cows outside my yard - and of course, I love them as a vegetarian-
and it made me sad they made the long journey to come to my village just for
the elders to decide who eats them. Poor things… they had no idea! 
Around 9:00, we all
headed over to the kgotla (think town
hall, but this is where the chief holds meetings) where we were to witness the
exchange of rings and signing the marriage contract. Most of this meeting was
in Setswana, but I managed to have people translate bits and pieces for me.
They also take a vow in front of the kgosi
(the village chief) and the remainder of the day is dedicated to preparing all
of the last minute things for the ceremony on Saturday.
Everyone woke up
bright and early on Saturday to begin cooking and decorating the wedding tent.
It is customary for weddings to be held at the place of residence for the
bride, and on a separate weekend, it will be held at the place of residence for
the groom. These ceremonies occur in their home villages (or home towns) so
that loved ones can participate in the ceremony. Wherever the ceremony occurs,
a tent is used to hold guests and they can make any tent look quite fancy! Take
a look… 
As mentioned in a
previous post (see Tying the Knot), the wedding party changes their attire
several times throughout the ceremony. I still don't understand the importance
behind this - because it is very costly- but nonetheless, my home ended up
being the dressing room for the wedding party. I had men and women flooding in
and out of my house changing, applying make-up, and looking in the mirror. Yes!
You look great :o) Everyone is very proud of how well they are dressed on the
day of the wedding. 
My family had me
fitted for a traditional Tswana dress, and oh my goodness gracious, I can't
even tell you how excited people in the community were when they saw the lekgoa (foreigner) wearing their typical
attire! The tailor didn't finish my dress until the evening of the wedding, but
people were still very happy to see the dress make an appearance the day of the
wedding. I really love my dress … and the best part? Built in shoulder pads.
The 80's live on in Botswana!
The day was a
complete success - the bride & groom were captivating, my friends were
thoroughly entertained, and I was reminded, yet again, of the beautiful village
I am living in. The hearts of the people in this family are overflowing with
kindness.
As I'm writing this
post, my two sisters are looking over my shoulder to read about our stories.
Our lives are becoming so beautifully intertwined - and just as Kolobetso &
Moremi had a wedding to celebrate their love - I find myself celebrating my love
for the people in my community each and every day.
Love & Light,
TMV
