WEDNESDAY EVENING November21st
I shall try to finish the story of Princess Ruth Komuntale's Introduction Ceremony last Thursday 15th Nov.
Before Christianity arrived in Uganda, it had been the custom for the boy and his friends to kidnap the girl and take her back to his village then his father and elders would go to the girl's village and start negotiations for them to marry. These would include demands and offers of beer and finally the number. of cows as Bride Price. Nowadays this custom has been modified to The Introduction Ceremony when the girl introduces the boy to her parents who finally agree to the wedding which can be the next day or several years later!
I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Introduction by my friend Evah who is related to the Royal Clan.

As usual, we sat around and waited and eventually things began to happen when the Royal Musicians appeared followed by delegations from the Kingdoms of Ankole and Bunyoro.They  brought greetings to The Princess's Uncle.Her brother, the King or Omukama could not be present at this ceremony.Whilst we continued to wait for the Princess and her groom we were entertained by singers and dancers.Eventually the groom - Afro-American Christopher Thomas with his mother and brother.They sat in their marquee.

Finally  The princess was ready and several different groups of beautiful girls were led out so that Christopher could choose the correct girl-eventually the PRINCESS CAME OUT AND WAS CHOSEN!
The grooms aunt then presented the bride with  a basket of fruit and flowers that she may be fruitful .

Then they signed a marriage contract and we could all be served a feast of traditional Ugandan food!I forgot to say that it rained heavily at the point when food was to be served so we had to wait ....................................................................................................