Engaged!

06 Feb 2012 2 Comments

by Jessica Goldman in Uncategorized

Not me! This weekend my host sister Ametu Selam had her engagement party. The Ethiopian Muslim customs are very conservative, so only now that they are engaged will they be free to go out for coffee or see each other in public. The ceremony was at my house. There was quite a whirlwind of activity. For days leading up to the event we had family and guests coming in and out to clean and cook and prepare the house. I think about 50 people were on the invitation list. We filled the compound and I opened up my room for the main meal so people could bring chairs in and eat. Being respectful of the culture even the Christians who came wore head scarves. The men sat in one area and the women sat in another. They slaughtered a cow for the event.(if you see the photo please take note of the hopeful look on the cats face.) The groom to be sent suitcases full of gifts for her and her family. She got a beautiful gold pendant, bracelet and ring. I took a picture but she tucked in her fingers because the morning of the party she almost chopped her finger off cutting meat. (oops!) He also bought them an entire bucket of honey which is quite expensive. During the bustle of activity the little baby in the photo came into my house every time she could toddle away from her family. She was convinced that she would read my copy of James Mitchner’s Alaska. Big goals for a small girl!