The Ankole Cow

Dear readers,

On Saturday we woke up at 8:45. Bliss. It's depressing when this is considered sleeping in.

With our beauty sleep replenished, we headed off to the wedding, ate a fabulous Ugandan meal, and were introduced to the bride, Doreen, as she was getting ready. It was incredible that we were able to share this experience with her on such an important day. Contradictory to media, she appeared totally relaxed, and we even helped her clasp her bracelet!

We were lucky to have Margaret, Mrs. K's right-hand woman, come with us to the giving away. As the speeches were mostly in their tribal language, Runyankole, we didn't get much out of them. However, whenever the crowd laughed, Margaret would whisper the translations into our ears. The jokes were mostly about the comparisons between Mzungus and Ugandans.

Sprinkled throughout the speeches, two singers performed traditional Runyankole songs. One of the songs was about the Ankole cow... Now the Bunyankole love their cows.  After the performers raised their arms, mimicking the long horns of the cow, a continuous flow of cash was stuffed into their hands. Mattie wove through the tightly packed seats to contribute to their overflowing pockets. As she approached them, she, too, tried to recreate their cow. What could be better than a Mzungu badly impersonating their pride and joy? The Ugandans erupted with laughter. 


Sunday was the teachers' day out. We went out for lunch and then to the museum next door. We learned how to grind millet, and about other traditional Ugandan practices, such as medicines- mostly cow urine and feces. We weren't the only ones to learn, as we taught some of the teachers how to put on their seat belts (this is why road accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Uganda). 


During lunch, Mrs. K informed us about some suitors, which displayed their interests for our hands in marriage. Supposedly, a father came up to Mrs. K, after the ceremony, asking where her "daughters" had gone. He told her to bring us back since he had two single, very eager sons. 


At the end of our outing, the teachers presented traditional Ugandan baskets to us. It was very touching, and the teachers were sure to use their seat belts correctly on the way home.

Only one week left; it's gone by so quickly.

Mattie and Emilia