As the anticipation builds for the royal wedding in Busoga scheduled for tomorrow, Busoga elders have unveiled a captivating array of cultural rituals to be performed before and during the momentous event.
Sulaiman Kakaire Kyegonza, the head of Princes in Bugweri Chiefdom, disclosed that one of the essential pre-wedding rituals involves the symbolic act of throwing sorghum over the roof of the Kyabazinga’s house. This sorghum, aged for at least a year in a granary, holds cultural significance aimed at fortifying the royal marriage and preventing any future divorce of the Inebantu (Queen).
"On the morning of the wedding day, well-kept sorghum, having resided in the granary for no less than a year, is picked and thrown over the roof of the Kyabazinga's house to strengthen the royal marriage," explained Mr. Kyegonza.
The night preceding the Kyabazinga’s wedding day is spent in his father’s house, signifying the official send-off as an adult for marriage. Upon the completion of the church ceremony, a noteworthy ritual unfolds—the washing of the Kyabazinga and his bride's feet by the bride's Auntie, all while seated on their marital bed.
Following the wedding, a unique culinary tradition takes center stage. Three days after tying the knot, the Inebantu prepares a dish of plantains mixed with simsim paste and beef. This dish is then shared from one plate by the parents of the newlyweds, symbolizing the strengthening of familial bonds post-wedding.
"This meal is served and shared by people close to the two families and is intended to cement their relationship by way of eating from one plate." Said Kyegonza.
As the festivities unfold, the brother of the bride, now officially the Inebantu, receives a cock as a symbolic gesture. He takes the cock home, where it is slaughtered and shared with other family members.
These rituals offer a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry that surrounds the royal wedding in Busoga, emphasizing the deep-rooted traditions that underscore this momentous occasion. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of the royal wedding and the captivating rituals that accompany this celebration.
