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 

Like the other girls, Zamalethu left for camp as a little girl and returned as a well-groomed woman who would take excellent care of their houses. Zamalethu was very happy to be back home and was looking forward to seeing her friends. She missed them a lot because she had a hard time making friends. She also missed her soon-to-be husband, Uche, who was waiting for her homecoming at her house with her family. 

The entire community celebrated Zamalethu's return, and so did Zamalethu and Uche. Beers, butchered goats and cows, and music characterized this momentous day. "I'm happy to be back, Uche, and I can't wait to marry you." The celebration subsided as the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon, and Uche and Zamalethu sat on a hill overlooking the hamlet. "My heart beats for you, can you hear it? You have made me proud, Zamalethu, and I can't wait to make you mine." He reached for her hand and held it against his bare, hairy chest. With a laugh, Zamalethu withdrew her fingers and said, "Oh my Uche, I could only feel your hairy chest."Uche could not stop wondering what he had said incorrectly, and he focused a small grin as she put her hand in her laps and laughed.

The following day, Zamalethu woke up early because she was so excited that she could not sleep. She dreamed of her life with Uche, and this dream was only hours away from coming true. As she lay in bed thinking about this wonderful dream, she saw teenage girls dancing to the sounds of drums, women gathering at Zamalethu's house to sing traditional songs, and goats and cows being slaughtered. When she woke up, the older ladies dressed her in the traditional wedding dress of Uche's tribe, a wide, colorful skirt, a gorgeous top adorned with a million beads, and her large afro tucked into a puff so her hat would fit.
It was time to meet the man she would spend the rest of her life with when she had finished getting dressed.

The little village was filled with joyful noises and boisterous laughter as drummers, singers, and dancers encircled the courtyard. People traveled great distances to celebrate this marriage. heard from a distance, a group of young guys are heard belting out songs and getting ready to butcher goats and cows. Since meat is a staple of the celebration, only the healthiest and fattest animals are killed. In addition to demonstrating the family's wealth, these animals were given to Zamalethu's family as lobola (wedding price) in order to demonstrate gratitude for raising a polite and well-mannered woman.

 The elder men were brewing some native brews from palm trees and fermented maize and seeds, while the younger and older ladies were in the backyard cooking a feast for the occasion. They were making planta, pap, and stir-fried kale with tomatoes and onions. It was obvious to bystanders that a celebration was going to happen!

 Following the completion of the preparations, the bride was escorted to her husband, who was standing beside his father and uncles, all decked out in full warrior regalia. They carried a shield and spear fashioned entirely of animal skin. Zamalethu was accompanied by elderly ladies from her tribe and family who were knowledgeable about marriage; she wore an African pattern veil that hid her until they arrived in Uche, at which point one of the elders revealed her identity

But this moment was her future and her forever, and Zamalethu looked deeply into Uche's eyes to catch a glimpse of the joy she knew he felt. Zamalethu's smile was pure magic when she saw Uche, standing only 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 the sun and singing in the moonlight.

The ceremony began, and the newlyweds received numerous gifts from the villages as they turned to face their guests while holding hands and grinning broadly. The couple sat on a grass-covered animal-skin mat embellished with vibrant beads and designs. Turning away from the guests, Zamalethu muttered to Uches, "I can't believe this is happening." "I know, I feel like am dreaming," he replied, clutching her hand tightly. In addition to gifts, the villagers encouraged the newlyweds with words of marriage. Since the newlyweds were already married when the lobolo was paid, this was only a celebration. There was plenty of food, music, dancing, fire, and laughter throughout the celebration.

As the gorgeous orange sun sank over the town and love accompanied the stars, Zamalethu and Uche felt thankful for everyone who had come to celebrate their love. Throughout the night, the two lovers spoke sweet nothings in whispers till the drums stopped making noise and they left for their new house.
After six months, Zamalethu and Uche became pregnant, giving birth to a stunning daughter named Africa.