| Eritrea May 2001 | ||||||
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| Celebrating 10 years liberation | ||||||
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Asmara May 27th 2001
Today we are invited to a wedding in Mai Temenai - Asmara. The Eritrean wedding starts with waiting. Woman are beating the drums outside the tent that covers the street. The family of the bride is sitting one side of the tent, the family of the bridegroom on the other side. Man carry big kettles with "suwa", a local low alcoholic drink, and "mes", a honey based drink. All the children want to sit next to this Dutch tourist, hoping he will record them with his video camera. A strict master of the ceremonies is directing them to their part of the tent.
First the bride enters the tent and half an hour later the bridegroom. Than the discussion starts about the dowry. The dowry is more expensive than usual because this bride has a lot of relatives in Europe and the US, which is a potential economic benefit to the bridegroom. Some man play the embelta.
Than there is a meal. The marrying couple is served first, followed be the other guests in order of importance. And finally there is the wedding-cake, the (imitation) champagne and some dancing and drumbeat to say goodbye to the just married couple.
Unfortunately there is no party. The married couple leaves to Massawa for a short wedding-trip.
Woman dancing and beating the drums in front of the party tent.
Boys serving "suwa" in big kettles at the wedding in Asmara.
Injera for the guests is brought in.
The guests eating injera.
Entrance of the party tent - family welcoming the guests.
The priest blessing the guests and the marriage.
Woman dancing - the Nakfa's are a reward for her gracious dancing.
The musicians at the wedding in Asmara.
Men playing the embelta at the wedding in Asmara.
The guests are being served in order of importance.
The suwa tastes so good as to make one want more and more.
Women at the wedding in Asmara.
Father of the bride with his two beautiful daughters.
The bride, the bride groom and the wedding-cake.
Toasting on a happy marriage.
The married couple share a piece of the wedding cake.
Woman dancing and beating the drums in front of the party tent.
