TH E T A L E O F A N A F R I C A N BRIDE FINAL CHAPTER

                                            Source: unknown 

A celebration of African brides 

                               

Chapter four 

Wedding day 

Zamalethu returned back to the village, she like the other girls, left for camp as girls and returned as well-groomed women who will take great care of their homes. Zamalethu was so excited to be back home, she could not wait to see her friends, she found it quite difficult to make friends so she missed them greatly, another person she missed was her soon to be husband Uche, he was waiting at her house with her family for her return. 

This return was accompanied by a big celebration across the village, and so Zamalethu’ family followed suit, beer, Slaughtered goats and cows, and the music filled this special day. “Am so glad to be back Uche, and I can’t wait to be your wife” Uche and Zamalethu sat on a hill watching over the village as the celebration died down and the sun slowly disappeared into the unseen, “You have made me proud Zamalethu and I can't wait to make you mine” he reached for her hand and pressed it against his bare hairy chest “and my heart beats for you, can you hear it? Zamalethu burst into laughter and pulled back her hand “oh my Uche, I could only feel your hairy chest” she put her hand into her laps laughing away, Uche could not stop from wondering what he said wrong, he focused a small grin. 

The next day, Zamalethu woke up early in the morning, her excitement would not allow her to sleep, she dreamt about her life with Uche, and this dream was only hours from reality, as she laid in her bed with beautiful thoughts, the women gathered at Zamalethu’s house singing traditional songs, teenage girls dancing to the sounds of the drums, cows and goats were slaughtered. When she woke the elder women dressed her in Uche’s traditional bride attire, it was a beautiful beaded top decorated with a million beads, a wide colorful skirt, her big afro was put in a puff so her hat could fit. 

After she was fully dressed, it was time to head out and met the men she’ll spend forever with. 

Drums singers and dancers surrounded the yard, sounds of joy and loud waves of laughter filled the little village, the crowds came from far and wide to celebrate this marriage. From a distance, a group of young men can be seen, singing loudly and preparing to slaughter goats and cows, meat is an essential part of the celebration and only the fattest healthiest animals were slaughtered. These animals were brought to Zamalethu's family as lobola (bride price)to not only show the wealth of the family, but also to appreciate Zamalethu's family for rising a well mannered and kind women.  

The young and older women were at the backyard preparing a feast for the celebration, making pap (a maize meal like mash potatoes), planta, stir-fried kale with tomatoes and onions, jollof rice, the older men were brewing some local beers from palm trees and fermented maize and seeds. Bypasses could tell a celebration was about to take place! 

After the preparations were over, the bride was led to her groom, who was standing with his father and uncles decorated in a full warrior attire, covered from top to bottom in animal skin, carrying a spear and shield made all made from animal skin. Zamalethu was escorted to meet her groom by family and village elderly women who were experts in marriage, she was covered in an African print cloth used as a veil, the printed cloth covered the bride until she reached Uche, then she was uncovered by one of the women,  Zamalethu's smile was pure magic when she saw Uche, standing just a few meters from her childhood home, memories of her childhood flooded her mind like a million raindrops touching the earth, she saw herself running up and down with her friends, dancing in sun and singing in the moonlight, but this moment was her future and her forever, Zamalehu looked deep into Uche's eyes to catch a glimpse of the joy she knew he felt.

When the couple were together, holding hands they turned to their guests with wide beautiful smiles, the ceremony was underway, the villages brought many gifts for the newlyweds. The newlyweds sat on a mat made of animal skin and covered by grass, decorated by colorful beads and prints "I can't believe this is happening" Zamalethu whispered to Uches, he turned away from the guests "I know, I feel like am dreaming" he replied to her whilst holding her hand closely. The villagers brought gifts and with each gift came words of marriage to encourage the new couple, the newlyweds were already married upon lobolo being paid and this was just a celebration. The celebration was filled with food, music dances fire and lots of laughter, the young men sat under the wisdom of the elderly men as they drunk away, the women served meals and shared wisdom to the younger women, the new in-laws also joined in the endless conversations. 

Zamalethu and Uche looked from one end to another with gratitude for all that came to celebrate their love, the beautiful orange sun set on the village and love accompanied the stars. The two love birds whispered sweets nothings throughout the night until the sounds of the drums died and off to the new home they went. 

Six months later, Zamalethu and Uche were pregnant and had a beautiful baby girl named Africa.