Here are two of the EMI interns dressing for the introduction. The extra fabric is folded in an accordion pleat and held in place by the belt. You're supposed to wear what amounts to a blanket underneath the gomesi for padding (Ugandans like their women to be, shall we say, substantial) but we passed on that.
Paul in his kanzu and me in my gomesi. This was taken at the EMI office, where we gathered before the ceremony.
The introduction ceremony is when the bride's and groom's families formally meet. This one took place in the bride's village in the front yard of a home. Part way through the ceremony the women parade in with the dowry (men help with heavy things like the 50 lb. sack of sugar and the leg of beef). Our baskets mostly held everyday foods like cabbage and bread. There were also two live chickens that were ceremoniously handed over.
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