****All photos were taken by my family.  Please source me if you choose to use any of them elsewhere.  Thank you****

Some background information...

The Kwanjula is a Ugandan tradition from my side of the family.  It's a formal introduction ceremony of the bride's fiance to her family.  It's also the public engagement ceremony whereby he asks for her hand in marriage after receiving the blessing from the bride's parents.  This is traditionally done at the time of engagement, but due to those traveling from abroad, we had the ceremony the evening before our wedding.

The most fascinating aspects of the ceremony are the outfits.  The women wear colorful ensembles called a basuti while the men wear tunics called akanzu.  

My mom's friends in basutis & Representatives for my side of the family in kanzus:

 The gifts are also an integral part of the ceremony.  The groom is expected to bring gifts for the "bride price" or "dowry".  It's customary in Uganda for the bride's parents to receive gifts such as cows, chickens, goats, fruits & vegetables, and other living staples. 

Matt arriving w/the gifts:

Our ceremony...

The ceremony took place in my parent's backyard with about 130 guests who observed.  Matt and his entourage arrived with the gifts and were seated on one side of the tent.  My family was seated on the other side.  The center was set up as a stage for where my entourage would come and greet Matt's entourage.  It's also where I was seated for the entire ceremony. 

The elders from my side of the family:

My bridesmaids! (minus 2):

Matt and part of his entourage:

Matt and I each had spokespersons who spoke in our defense on why we would like to marry.  

I changed my busuti a total of 3 times.  They do this to try and throw off who I am...so that Matt is confused as to whom he's asking to marry. (Yes, it's a comic affair!)  

My sister (in green) and I:

In the end, Matt received the blessing from my father and officially proposed. 

My parents!:

My mom had me crying during the blessing:

Our pastor came and gave a few words of advice.

Afterwards we partied with a feast (<--not kidding...I've never seen that much food!) also called a Kasiki which translates "bachelorette party".  It was an awesome time!  We had dancers perform and everyone got in on the action!