Today Gaudencia arranged a microfinance meeting at Castle Rock with a charming man from Chingola named Sonny Chila. The information he gave us fit well with what we've heard from other sources, including Pauline, who was a participant in the program right after her divorce, and Godfrey's father, who offers financial counseling as part of his church service work. We will arrange a meeting on Wednesday for our 13 women and the 45 workers who are constructing the community center building. The discussion will include educational and vocational training ambitions, micro-business finance information, and more.
At the Castle Lodge for a business meeting.
On the way back to the apartment the gang ran into the wedding party. Here's a view of it from Brian's perspective:
Today as Jen, Tracy, Dave, Troy, Bryn and I walked down from Castle Lodge to the apartment, we passed by a large celebration in one of the walled compounds. Seeing a small group gathered outside, we stopped to say hello. After a quick round of introductions, a few of the ladies invited Jen, Dave, and Tracy in to see the party, which turned out to be a bridal shower for a young Ndola woman named Chonde. As they got a quick tour, Bryn, Troy, and I chatted with a small group of guys we found standing near a bus. During the introductions, it was discovered that I share a name with one of the guys, which made us fast friends (I learned early in the trip that meeting someone with the same name was an occasion for some excitement. Shouting "Ahh my namesake!" is an excellent way to get on easy terms). After a bit of deliberation, the guys decided that Troy, Bryn, and I needed to accompany them to participate in part of the festivities. Brian (my namesake!) hastily explained that during a Zambian bridal shower, it is customary for the groom to make an appearance accompanied by a group of his friends. The groom and most of his friends had come from Kitwe for the occasion, and they felt it would be excellent to make their entrance with a few Americans in train. After a few rounds of trying to politely excuse ourselves, it became apparent that they would not be refused. We handed off our bags to Jen, Dave, and Tracey and we were in.
The men gathering for the big entrance.
Beginning the procession.
As we entered the compound, several women began singing a traditional song, accompanied by several other women playing drums. We were quickly surrounded by women and girls of all ages. We marched from one end of the compound to the other, and then doubled back as we passed a small mountain of cookware.
The procession enters the party.
Brian again explained that it was customary for all the women at the shower to bring the bride something for her kitchen, and these gals had clearly gone all out. In addition to piles of blenders, toasters, pots, and pans, they had brought an oven and a full-sized refrigerator. I found myself wondering just how large a kitchen Chonde was coming in to!
The mountain of presents for the bride and groom.
In short order, we came to stand in front of the bride to be, who was seated on the ground and covered head to toe in a blanket. We were instructed to kneel down, presumably so everyone present could see what was to come. A host of cell phones, cameras, and video cameras came out as the groom pulled away the blanket and seated himself before his bride. She then began a ritual that involved lying down in several positions before the groom. Unfortunately, Brian, my guide through the whole process thus far, was from a different tribe than the bride's family, and could not explain the significance of this particular element. He guessed it was meant as a sign of respect. After the bride rose for the final time, two nearby ladies, whom I assume were her relatives, brought out pieces of chitenge which they wrapped around Troy and another of the escorts. They were brought forward before the bride's seat, and we were told that whoever was wrapped with the chitenge must dance. Troy, dancing machine that he is, quickly obliged. After a short time, it was decided that Bryn and I should take a turn, so we demonstrated our musungu dancing skills for the crowd.
In the bridal tent. Can you spot the musungu dancers?
Once the laughter died down, the rest of the groom's escorts decided that we were all in need of beer. As they passed around a few Castles, Troy once again set about trying to politely make an exit. This time he had better luck convincing our hosts, and we made our way outside, albeit not without a slight delay while I passed out my e-mail to a few potential pen pals. As we came out, we found that Jen had taken the opportunity to get acquainted with the folks across the way. It happened that the party was taking place across the way from the headquarters of an NGO working (if I recall correctly) on HIV education in Ndola. It seems work never stops here in Zambia.