A WelcomingCelebration

There are all kinds of celebrations.  We might celebrate a birthday or an anniversary.  We might celebrate the first day of Spring or the start of summer.  We might celebrate no homework or the last day of school.  On Saturday Kathy and went to a “Welcome to the Family” celebration.

I have mentioned a few times that our nephew married a lovely girl form Zambia.  I admit I do not know a lot about Zambian traditions even after visiting there two years ago.  I am still learning.  This celebration was new new to me and I am so glad we were invited to it.

When a Zambian girl gets married there is a ceremony held to welcome the young man into the family.  There is chanting, dancing, and welcoming speeches.  The point is that the man is not a son-in-law to the girl’s parents but a son and a stand-in for the girl’s father.  For example: if the father cannot attend a meeting the son-in-law can be sent in his place.  All respect that would be shown to the father would be shown to the new son.

If the girl has a sister who gets engaged, her father will consult  with the son in planning the wedding.

Likewise, the girl becomes a daughter not just a daughter-in-law to the boy’s parents.  She can take the place of the boy’s mother at any function and be treated with the same respect as the mother would be.

Well, on Saturday two young men were welcomed into the family.  Besides our nephew Melisa’s (our niece) cousin’s husband was also celebrated.  Here are the two happy couples: Linda and Michelo – Melisa (Mimi) and Leonard.

The event was held at Melisa’s parents house.  People kept arriving and the house was full.  Of course there was someone who explained what was going on.

The two couples sat around the table and a version of the Newlywed Game was played.

It ended in a tie.

After we ate there was part two of the ceremony.  Both the man’s parents and the woman’s parents were presented with a chicken and before you ask, yes, it was cooked.  Here are the different parents receiving their chickens form the girls.  One thing I learned about Zambian culture is that if someone comes to visit you and you don’t offer them a meal of chicken that is looked on as a insult to the guests.  I guess that is why chicken is always a part of every meal we have had at Foster and Gift’s .

Here are just some random shots.  Kathy is talking with Foster (Mimi’s mom) and Rosaly (Linda’s mom).  Sitting next to Foster is Dayna whose daughter is marrying our nephew (Leonard’s brother) in September.

After eating people went outside to get pictures taken with the couples.  First just the couples.

Then with different guests.

This is Melisa’s best friend, Vanessa.  Vanessa went with us on the African trip.  She is one sweet person.  She is the one who organized a dance party for Kathy’s birthday while we were in Africa.

It was also nice to reconnect with someone else who went to Africa with us, Angie.  Angie married Linda’s brother, Harold.

Every time we get together we have a blast.  We are all family.  Everyone is considered an aunt, uncle, brother, or sister.  How wonderful it would be if the world could adopt this way of thinking.  Looking forward to our next get together.  I know there will be lots of food, lots of wine, and lots of fun.