A Meru Wedding
These two cuties led the bridal party into and out of the church. It was hard to take pictures of anything else! They’re pretty special. Behind them came the dancers. You'll see them later.
Church Weddings in East Africa have many similarities to our Western weddings, with some differences. Above you see Daniel and his wife-to-be in front of the church. The dress is somewhat conventional Western but the Maid of Honour and the Groom's man are much busier here. They are constantly fussing with the important couple. Dabbing off sweat, straightening out a sleeve, making sure everything is just so. Is that curl in just the right place? Daniel's father, Pastor Joseph Kiyungai, is one of the advisers for Pamoja Ministries. Pastor Sosi is preaching. His church runs one of our ISOM dvd-based Bible and Ministry Schools.
The church is called "A Loving Church Patandi". Patandi is the location, just down the road from us. The gorgeous young kids up front had their own attendant who catered to their every whim and kept them in line at the same time. Daniel's father, Joseph, is clearing a path for the Bridal party. Beautiful, aren't they?
The whole community was invited to the reception. There were huge pots of food and everyone was welcome. Here the couple is walking to their pavilion which is decorated with the balloons on the side. The kids are dancing their way along, even as they danced into the church – following the two little ones. The dance is really interesting. They move forward very slowly but keep up a lot of motion. Back and forth, with just a little progress each cycle. Notice the videographer? He's using our camera!
It was a wonderful combination of relaxed joy and great formality and organization! The young girls and the boys are still dancing and musicians are getting ready. A lot of new clothes are sewn for a wedding. However, the people wear these clothes for other occasions, church for instance!
There is MUCH gift giving at a Meru Wedding. Every group of relatives knows in advance what their traditional gift will be. I've just shown you four of the gifts! There was much, much more! Ask me sometime to try to explain the difference between time-oriented Westerners and event-oriented Africans. Do they know how to celebrate? They do! Expensive, but fun! You see the couch and the sheets of metal roofing? Father gave the "modern milk cow" calf and mother gave the bed.
The Bride is being directed to do a bunch of things! She has to give him something to drink, to eat.... Here she is checking his heart! She seems pleased with what she's feeling.
The Groom also needs to do bunches of things! Here he's making sure she's getting enough of her favourite soda. If you look down to the bottom of the picture you'll see there are many different sodas to choose from. There are small companies which supply the cloth and bows for the pavilions and decorations.... The church doesn't buy it all new; it's rented.
Well, I did warn you! Not everything is the same as in the West! This is a unique art form! Roasted whole goat with accoutrements! Everyone got a piece of the roast! Honestly, this is really called "The Wedding Cake". There is no Western sweet cake! Reminds me of the medieval times in Europe with the whole roast pig with the apple in its mouth! The fur is kept on the head by using aluminium foil during the roasting. It really is an art form!
We wish you could have been with us. The service was God-honouring. The pageantry was very pleasing. The friendship was great! The food was delicious, unless you object to roast goat!
