Lobola (Traditional Wedding)

Our pastor's daughter recently was married. There is so much that goes into weddings here, there actually are 3 different weddings. The first wedding is the Lobola (Low-bow-lah) or traditional wedding which are then followed by the white wedding at the bride's place and then another wedding at the grooms place. Months before the traditional wedding takes place, the uncles from both the grooms side and brides side get together and discuss what the bride price will be or what exactly the grooms family will pay to the brides family for the bride. On the day of the traditional wedding, it happens right at dawn (around 6am) and if the grooms family is not on time waiting outside of the brides family's plot then they are generally fined another cow or two. Depending on where the bride is from is how many cows she is worth, the normal going rate is about 8 cows valued at $400 for each cow. Most Batswana have a hard time putting together enough money to actually get married due to this so many are married years after living together and families have already started. If the bride and groom have a child together, they are fined an additional cow for each child they have had out of wedlock.
On the day of the traditional wedding, the brides family comes to the event, all men wearing jackets and all women wearing a white shaw, traditional skirt and head covering. The grooms family comes to the event, all men wearing a jacket and kneeling before the brides family, and the women wearing a multicolored shaw, traditional skirt, and head covering.
There is much singing and dancing that happens after the exchange of cows and the families unite. Many here in Botswana see this as the bride and groom are married, but in Christian marriages, they often wait to live together until after the white wedding a the bride's place happens. What an amazing cultural experience to be a part of!

The grooms family kneeling before the brides family.

Wendi, myself, and Sherra

Washing of the hands before tea and bread

Enjoying time together

The uncles

This is the bride and groom after the ceremony