My sister's wedding

Monday, December 10, 2012

This was honestly the most amazing time my family has experienced together.  My father died in 2006 and that was the last thing that truly brought us together, but it was a sad and painful time.  Last weekend was the antithesis to that heavy cloud! I am the second of four sisters and number three, Singalakha, took the pressure off the rest of us and tied the knot during one of the most auspicious and unforgettable weddings last weekend.

She married her seriously sweet sweet heart Athabile at a Christian wedding at Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve in the beach town of Cintsa some 30km from our home town of East London and the following day, we drove 6 hours to Mount Ayliff, a small mountainous village in the Transkei where Athabile's grandparents have their family home to have the traditional Xhosa wedding. Despite the rain, the mud and the unfamiliar but exquisite surroundings, this was one of the best day of my life. I have a few pics to share with you guys. I'm not cool enough to say that this did not just melt me into submission and admission that I want to get married, the Xhosa way.   It is significantly much more than just the romance and love between two people, it's the marriage of two families. 

Singalakha about to put on her make up before the Christian wedding
Maid of Honour, my older sister Vuyokazi
Yes I broke my bridesmaid virginity! The two girls in the front are Singa's friends Ntyatyi on the left, Luvo on the right and Bridget Bardot over there in the back is Athabile's sister, Minikazi and to her right, another friend of Singa's Asanda.  This is when we were getting our ''bridesmaid'' on.

This image and the one above were taken by Full Circle Photography
That is a real live elephant in the back hence our not concentrating and looking at the camera. We were trying so hard to not be bothered that our backs were turned. Our bridesmaid dresses are by Doreen Southwood at MeMeMe
Wish I had taken more pictures of the beautiful Transkei landscape. This is just after the village of Qunu, made famous by Nelson Mandela whose home is there. 
Athabile in his traditional Xesibe attire






Singalakha was lifted from the car and delivered to her husband by Athabile's brother on the right and relative on the left. 
 That metal bucket is meant to have water in it to symbolise the makoti's new duties as a wife which include providing food and water for the family, looking after the homestead etc but in this case, because my sister doesn't know the first thing about carrying water, let alone on her head and how to fetch firewood from the hills, there were just sweets in the bucket which she dispersed to the little children that were there, almost causing a mini stampede. It was so cute. She did spend a few extra days in Mount Ayliff learning some makoti duties.


Xesibe dancers performing or what we call ukusina


This is how the new bride looks the day after.  This is a typically new Xhosa makoti.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Que bellas tomas. Gracias por compartir. Quiero invitarte a ver mi ultimo shooting Filthy Andy, muévete a verlo. Besos y besos.

urbanmosadi said...

This is beautiful. Thanks so much to your sister and you for sharing.

Nelson Mandela University said...

I can't wait for my friend Vuyo (the MOH) to get married - I so badly want to experience an awesome event like this. So special Milli - thanks for sharing!!!

Vuyo said...

Oh man...I look at the pictures and think back to those days...it was absolutely beautiful...

Unknown said...

This post makes me proud to be an African. Thank you for sharing this kind of story with the world Mili. Trully reminds us where our root lie and what we should never forget about ourselves.

Nomali Cele said...

That shot of her in the car veil covered! The traditional ceremony looks so lovely! And the sweets in the bucket!!!

Really lovely.

Thanks for sharing. <3

Unknown said...

The Xhosa traditional wedding is a wonderful tradition! It is good that it is being preserved and still being practiced. Your picture with your bridesmaids and the elephant is quite funny. I think it is something you don’t see on a typical wedding.

Roslyn Housel

Unknown said...

It’s great that your sister decided to have a traditional Xhosa wedding! It looks like a nice cultural event! Your sister and your now brother-in-law seem like a very happy couple too!

Lavonne Seaton

Hildred Congdon said...

It was a memorable event, Milli! And it should be because she got married twice to the man of her dreams! Haha! Anyway, it really feels good to have a cultural wedding. It help creates an impression of “more” sacred union.

Hildred @CGliv.com

Baholo Mokoena said...

I don't know how I bumped into this. Looks like it was a joyous celebration. I hope they happy.

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Unknown said...

Ngyabonga for showing us the Xesibe Attire and i think people should not be misled and think Xesibes are Xhosas...no no no

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