The document outlines the traditions and customs associated with Ugandan marriage ceremonies, including the attire worn by brides and grooms, such as the gomesi and kanzu. It describes key elements of the ceremony, such as the bride price (omutwalo), the delivery of gifts, and the significance of family involvement throughout the process. The kwanjula, or introduction ceremony, is portrayed as a vibrant celebration that symbolizes the union of two families, featuring music, dance, and significant rituals.

1. Ugandan Marriage/Wedding
Ceremony

2. • Ugandan Traditional Wedding Attire
• Traditionally, Ugandan brides will wear a gomesi which is a brightly colored
floor-length dress made of silk, cotton or linen fabric. It has pointed, puffed
sleeves with a square neckline with two buttons to the left of the neckline,
and this dress is typically tied around the waist by a large belt or sash. Brides
may also change their dress several times during the wedding day.
• As for grooms, they traditionally wear a kanzu or a tunic.

3. • Ugandan Traditional Wedding Guest Attire

4. • calabashes of local brew
• the groom’s family has to carry 3 calabashes of local brew/ stick that contains the
assortment of gifts. The first called, ekiggula luggi (door opener), which is for knocking the
door so that the groom’s entourage is welcomed to the venue. The second one
called ekita eky’enjogeza (opens up the discussion) that soothes the throats of the future
in-laws for the negotiations. The last one is ekita ekiwasa omukazi. (The one that releases
the bride to be married) This bride’s calabash also accompanies omutwalo, which is key
for the bride’s family to accept the groom to take her home as a wife.

5. • rooster for bride’s brother
• Upon arrival, the Omuko is given "Enkoko yo'muko" which loosely translates to "a rooster for the brother-in-law."
Guests are then provided with roasted coffee, often presented by the hosts' chosen elder as a symbol of a bond
between the two families once they've greeted the hosts and sat. The cock for the bride’s brother has to be given to
him so that he agrees to the sister’s marriage.
• After they've made their introductions, the visiting elder states his reason for the visit, to seek permission to marry.
Elders on both sides will then have a discussion that may include proverbs and fables. The kwanjula also involves a lot
of music, dancing and clapping, such as the bridesmaids encircling the bride for the groom to "break through" to
reach his love. It's a ceremony full of tradition and celebration to symbolize the union of two families.

6. • clothes for parents
• The clothes for the parents called embugo are given to the bride’s father, mother,
paternal and maternal uncles and aunties, the muko (her brother), and
grandparent .The kanzus and gomesi are cultural dress codes for the males and females
respectively.

7. • family meal
• the groom and a few close family members are taken inside to be served a special meal
called luwombo, which is a stew of chicken with peanut sauce wrapped and steamed in banana leaves
for a few hours without getting it to touch the water or oil. In Buganda, it is polite for the in-laws to
thank her for the food with at least an envelope because she personally prepared it.
• Traditionally, the groom will eat in private with a few members of his party. This private dinner is in a
darker room with mats on the ground where the bride's families will serve these guests traditional
foods such as matooke, rice, vegetables and beef.

8. • The "Bride Price" = payment of the omutwalo( ten thoudand)
• it is the name given to anything a bride’s father mentions that a man should bring as bride price. It can be material items like art pieces or
portraits of one’s clan, sofa sets, fridge, water tanks or any other items.
• requested by the bride’s father before accepting the groom to get his daughter’s hand in marriage on the day of
the kwanjula/introduction.
• As long as that is fulfilled, culturally, a man is allowed to take his bride. If a man brings a lot of gifts but skips the particular item, his father-
in-law to be wanted as bride price, the family of the bride holds the right to deny him their daughter’s hand in marriage.
• if the groom has lived with the bride and even had children before the introduction, he will be required to bring embuzi
ey’amawemukirano, a she-goat that is used to wash away the curse from the family. It is usually passed from the backyard of the
homestead
• Another she-goat is also given after the function if the girl is found a virgin.

9. • official envelopes to be given out and
• the girls and boys, young women and men who come to welcome the visitors
• money which is placed in different envelopes for the bride’s father, mother, brother and the Ssenga.
• Ssenga(paternal aunt) is the most important person next to the bride, most times she gets two envelopes,
first one called ”eya galubindi”, the money for buying the glasses which she will wear in order to easily
screen through the guests and choose who the groom is.

10. • gifts / items presented presented

11. • bouquet of flowers for the bride
• When the bride is finally identified among the women assembled, the
groom’s sister has to have a nicely decorated bouquet of flowers to give to
her as she delivers the message of the groom and his family on how
privileged they are to have her in their family,” he explains.

12. bridal suitcase
• The groom also carries a suitcase that contains essential items for the bride
like clothes, shoes, earrings, make-up, perfumes and among other gifts.
• “This same suitcase is used to pack all her personal belongings that will be
taken to her husband

13. • Officially a couple

14. • Ugandan Traditional Wedding Food, Drinks and Desserts

15. • Ugandan Wedding Reception

16. • Ugandan white Wedding and Reception