Ruben bloggar frå turar, innland og utland: Wedding and Nordic Sports Day!

This weekend was quite special. It is so much to tell, so I’ll shorten it, and use more pictures.
First, Saturday, was wedding day! My “cousin” was getting married, and since he had lost his mom and dad, my parents was stepping in as the closest family. That made me his brother. It was really cool to in an African wedding. Even though, I’ve never been in a full wedding in either Norway or England, I believe it’s quite different from the Western style.

Pompi was at the wedding, cool!

We were told that the church ceremony would start at 9, and we were quite “early” being there at 9:05. But nothing happened until close to 10 o’clock. I’m used to it, so it was no surprise. It was a very touchy and beautiful wedding. Here they have a DJ in the church that controls the music. The bridesmaids, best men and the groom came in dancing before the bride came in followed by her father. The groom “took over” and follower her to the altar. The ceremony was all over after about 1 hour. We went outside and a lot of pictures were taken. Our next destination was at a beautiful property were the photo-shoot was supposed to take place, but we waited 2 hours for the couple to come. In the end, we got the photos taken. After being an hour or so behind schedule we went to the third destination of the day, which was the reception. More waiting and now two hours behind schedule. Here all the guests were invited, and there were speeches, another DJ, a famous singer Pompi from the Copperbelt (North Zambia), cake cutting, greetings and more dancing. I’ll tell you about the more cool stuff that happened:

It’s a tradition to give a cake to your in-laws during this reception, and since I was sitting with my dad/mother David and Doreen, I was suddenly sitting in the middle of the tradition. It was so cool when the groom and bride came with the cake, kneeled down in front of my parents and gave the cake and gave David and Doreen hugs. It was so awesome! Then they did the same thing with the other in-laws (the bride’s parents).

You may kiss the bride

Photo shoot

Dawn standing with the married couple

It's so much danicng at the Zambian weddings!

Handing over the cake

Hug and greeting

Then, after the reception, it was around 6 o’clock, and we had one more place to go: the couple’s home. Here, only the closest family was invited, and here is the place where you introduce yourself and wish the new married couple good luck. There is also placed two bowls where you can put some money in. David went up for us, talking in Bemba (their language) and giving some money for our family. A lot of people went up, most of them elderly who talked in Bemba or Nyanja about marriage, and the “secrets” of being married for 50 years. I decided to join the tradition.

I walked up in front of the couple, and I introduced myself in Nyanja: “Bwachoma Bwanji (good afternoon), Di ne Ruben (I’m Ruben). Son of David and Doreen Mpondela, brother of Dinah, Dawn and Daniel. ’m not going to give you any advice about relationships like the gentlemen there did, who has been married for 50 years, since my longest relationship lasted 3 months. (….) I wish you all the best, and remember to use your family for advice when you need it. Good luck” or something along those lines.

This was my favourite part of the day, talking to the couple and introducing myself, feeling like I was a part of the closest family, even though I was the only white person there. I think David and Doreen really liked it as well.

Julie, Me and Dinah (my sister)

Here I walk up to the couple to greet them and wish them good luck

Two women wishing the couple good luck

When we were done, it was almost 8 o’clock and we went home. I was supposed to go to another wedding at this time, but I was so tired and had a headache (was too warm that day, and not enough water), so I went straight to bed.

I’ve already written a lot, so I’m going to keep the last part short.

On Sunday we had Nordic Sports Day at American International School of Lusaka. Here all the Finish, Danish, Swedes and Norwegian in Lusaka gather and compete in different sports like: Football, relay, volleyball, swimming, Kubb, tug of war and gum boot throw (ambassador and vice ambassador have to do the throws). It was a great day which started at 9:30ish and lasted to past 15:00. At 18:00 we had dinner at the Danish embassy. It was great to meet the other Scandinavians and the Norwegians who came from Livingstone for this event. Have a look at the photos and video from the great day.