Newlyweds

This is a picture of our guard, Lungu and his new bride. We went to their house for a visit and to bring a wedding gift. The African way of getting married is very different than in our culture. Lungu went to the village where he was born and his uncle inquired about a certain young lady on his behalf. His uncle then negotiated a "bride price" with her family that Lungu paid. In many tribes, the bride price would be paid in cattle but now it is usually only money. Once the bride price was paid, Lungu was free to take his new wife back to Lusaka. She is adorable! She has many changes to adjust to - living in the city, only knowing Nyanja, and learning to care for her new husband.