"I Do" - Nigerian Style . . .

This past Saturday was a cultural learning experience for me. Uncle Musa, one of our Gyero Uncles was married, and I was able to attend the wedding and was even able to wear the official Gyero fabric! In Nigerian cultural, when you attend a wedding, people who are associated with each other, (for example people who work togther, or are in the same singing group, or something like that) all wear the same fabric. This way guests know who you are and how you are connected with the couple. So Nicky and I, and the rest of the Gyero woman all matched! Check out the picture below!

The wedding, scheduled to start at 10:00am prompt didn't actually start until 11:30am . . . we were wondering if we were at the right Church we when arrived at 10:15am and the church was empty . . . The ceremony was similar to a western wedding, except for all of the beautiful singing done by various choirs and even a number done by a group of our Gyero boys . . . Uncle Musa, even joined in with them singing and dancing!

After the ceremony we attended the reception . . . being the only white people in attendance, everyone made a big deal out of us being there . . . we got to sit on the "High Table" and even got to dance up front! There is a custom of "spraying money" for the bride and groom at anytime possible during a wedding . . . so while we were up dancing, people come up and put money on your head and then, as it falls to the ground people go and collect it for the bride and groom . . . the idea is that that everyone gives money to the couple to start their life off well. It was quite fun, and all of our Nigerian colleagues enjoyed spraying money on their baturi friends!

Although I was exhausted when we arrived home at 5:30pm, it was a lot of fun to be a part of something so important to our staff, and wonderful to be able to support Uncle Musa and his wife. Please keep them in prayers as they adjust to married life!