a wedding and a funeral

In the last 4 days we have participated in a wedding and a funeral. (and a few weeks ago a baby dedication. I was not here for that but in the states with my mom in the hospital so my one sister could take some time off. the baby dedication started with 2 babies and ended with 10 babies and toddlers.)

First the wedding.

The couple knew one another when they were 5 or 6 for a number of years, growing up as neighbours. Around high school their lives took different directions. A few years ago he began to look for her. They found one another again and were married on Saturday. It was a fun, sorta-(Africa) traditional, church, neighbour wedding. Here there are white weddings and traditional weddings. Many couples have both. And some have a wedding at the bride's place and the next day at the groom's home. This was like a white wedding, being in a church, but more traditional in attire.

During the ceremony there was a pause and they kissed and hugged only to discover there was a bit more before "you may kiss the bride". That got a good laugh from everyone.

We went to a park to have photos taken.

There was a lot of dancing. That is the maid of honour in front. Coming back to the house from the wedding site they got out of the vehicles a couple of blocks away. The maid of honour led, followed by the ring bearers, the bride, groom, her girls and the men. Following them was the other church youth girls in black and white who later served at the meal. All were dancing in step together. They did a great job after many, many, many practices.
The bride's sister serving them.

And then the funeral.

A young woman who lived on the street in Snake Park of a couple of Faith Baptist church members (E & D) died about 5 weeks ago. She was from Lesotho. Her family all lived there and there was no money to bury her. E and D and another neighbour began to ask for donations and plan a funeral. Finally today the funeral was held. Many church members came and Alan did the service along with the block committee member as MC. Some of us went after church on Sunday to sing, pray and bring condolences. The men filling in the grave.

Usually there are many nights of people (or sometimes different churches) coming to the home to sing, pray and maybe have tea. The night before the funeral the body is brought to the home and placed behind a screen in their bedroom. Then an all night, prayer, singing time is held. The next morning everyone enters the house and escorts the coffin outside to then have the funeral before the trip to the cemetery. Then there is a meal for any and all.

The obligatory after- the- funeral- meal.

The next of kin (i've only ever seen women do this) sits on a mattress with a blanket around them. A candle is lit in the room and burned constantly. This custom relates to ancestors and the spirit of the dead person. Another is to use a branch from a tree brought into the house and then go with the body to the cemetery so the spirit clings to the branch and finds the body.

the end, i am out of energy and time.