Back in the culture.....

We are back in Uganda!!! After a good trip, we arrived Thursday evening back in Soroti. Everybody was happy to see us and we were very happy to see everybody, so there was a lot of hugging and shouting. On Friday we worked first a bit on unpacking and organising our home again, but in the afternoon we went to a traditional wedding. We got an invitation to attend the wedding of Julius. Julius has been working with us for several years in the beginning of Amecet, he always stayed a good friend and helped us many times with picking people from the airport and escort them safely to Amecet. Many people who read this blog and have been here with us for some time, know Julius. So we had to go and be part of this celebration!! It was a cultural wedding, so it was in his village, at his home. They had made tents and we sat and waited... First the introductions, who is who and which side do you support, his or hers. Then some music and we had to all stand up and inspect the cows, which Julius has to pay to the parents of his (to be) wife. 



Then we went back to our seats, we had not seen the bride or the bridegroom, they were hiding in separate huts until the negotiations about the amount of cows, goats and money were done. And the negotiations were not going well, the two parties didn't agree. After a while the family of Julius served food and I don't know if that was the trick, but the announcement was made that they agreed and the couple could come out. First  a group of young girls brought out Julius, stepping on the swing of an African song they marched around and Julius was brought to his chair. 

 

Julius was smiling from ear to ear, the girls went to get the lady on the same way and there was a lot of shouting and jumping and dancing. I think everyone was happy that the families had come to an agreement. It was already 7 pm, we had been there for more than 4 hours!

And here is the happy couple together, Julius with his Naomi! The little boy is not theirs, it is one of Julius' nephews It was a different kind of wedding, but we wish lots of happiness to them!

I have not yet worked in Amecet, tomorrow will be my first day of work, but I have seen and heard already a lot. There are not so many baby's in Amecet, I think only 8, but there are some children who are brought via the police because of  abuse and of neglecting. No very sick children, also the staff is doing well, so that was a good coming Home!

My girls are enjoying the warm weather and playing outside, especially Helen, she has not stopped playing since we arrived, on the bicycle and in the compound.. One more week and than the schools begin again...