Asmara, the wedding (day 1) - October 1st 2005

 

It is the first time I have the opportunity to witness the whole wedding, although only from the perspective of the wife. The family gathers early in the morning in the house of the parents of the bride. At 7:30 the ceremony starts with the music of three embelta players, while women are playing on a drum, called a 'keboro' and sing.

30 minutes later a train of cars heads for the Nda Mariam church, where eight couples will marry at the same time. They all brought lots of friends and family. Therefore the compound is crowded with many people, most of them dressed in white.

If I want to join the service, I will have to leave my shoes outside. No problem. There is carpets all over the place. The walls of the church are decorated with many religious paintings. Changing places during the service, I can closely observe them all.

After the service there is - as usual - the photo session in Gheza Banda, not far from Mai Jah Jah. All thinkable combinations of the marrying couple and the family are pictured as smaller and larger groups. People bring in food and share it with the other guests for lunch. A picknick under the shade of the trees.

The afternoon is resting time. For me it means strolling around the markets, drinking a few beers in bar Selas, teasing Freweini encouraged by Lemlem, her sister.

Around 8 o'clock I return to the party tent, where the feast is about to begin. Children sit next to me, practicing their English. Asking my name, my age, my job and more.

I have some problems getting in the mood and escape to find some Asmara beers in one of the bars on Harnet Avenue. A woman is selling boiled eggs on the sideway. I will eat some before getting drunk.

In the bar one of the men - he is drunk - is challenging me to dance. I accept and a few minutes later half of the visitors is joining us. Three beers and one hour later I return to the party, now feeling less shy to join the dancing crowd. We dance till after midnight

 

The bridesmaids - Asmara Eritrea.

One of the guests - Asmara Eritrea.

Embelta players at the wedding - Asmara Eritrea.

Compound of the Nda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral  - Asmara Eritrea.

The Nda Mariam Coptic Church - Asmara Eritrea.

The limousine of one of the other married couples - Asmara Eritrea.

The wedding pictures - Asmara Eritrea.

The wedding party - Asmara Eritrea.

The wedding party - Asmara Eritrea.

The wedding party - Asmara Eritrea.