03/10/2023
THE WEDDING
Ndoni is woken by the footsteps of the women entering the hut. She had a sleepless night. Excitement but dread at the same time. Today is the day she gets married. Not to just any man. She is getting married to the future Chief, the eligible and delectable Prince Butho. In a few months, after the wedding and thereafter, the throning, she will be queen. It’s not a surprise, not really. This is exactly what she has spent most of her young life getting ready for. At nineteen, known as one of the most beautiful faces in the land, the day is finally here.
“It is time to wake up, grandchild.” Her grandmother, one of the women, smiles at her, “You will be queen by the end of this day.”
“Not yet,” Another woman, her grandmother’s older daughter interjects, “Not until the throning.”
“It’s already done. Butho is the only rightful heir. He walks and talks like a Chief already.”
“Standing tall and a deep voice makes no king,” Her aunt snorts, “Neither does a wedding make one a wife, let alone a queen.”
“My granddaughter was born a queen. She is ready to take her place.”
“Only time will tell,” Her aunt claps her hands loudly, “Why are you all still asleep? The sun is already high. You should have fetched the water already.”
The flock of girls lying around Ndoni finally budge. Three are cousins, the two, daughters of some far-removed family. After muttering apologies and respectful greetings, they leave the room. Ndoni breathes a sigh of relief. They’re not her friends. Truth is, she doesn’t have any. With the role placed on her since she was a child and her beauty, all the girls her age have always been wary of her. Including her cousins. They envy her, worst, they’re jealous of her.
“We need to hurry,” Her grandmother states, “They will be here soon. Rise granddaughter.”
She’s talking about the gathering. The groom doesn’t come himself but sends his family to collect his bride from her home. Her family hands her over after much haggling and dancing. Both parties, the groom’s and the bride’s then proceed to the to the groom’s home. In this case, this will be the royal kraal. A lot has to happen before that though. The women are here to do the lifting. It is a ceremony performed on the morning before a girl gets married. Older, married woman spread clay dug from the river all over the bride. It cleanses her from her girlish ways. Ready her for becoming a wife. The whole process is done while the women give advice about how to be a good wife.
“No blemish anywhere. He might our future chief, but he has never seen anything like you before.”
Ndoni smiles at her grandmother. While her aunt cackles.
“You have not seen him. He has a striking face. Taller than most. He’s well built. I’m sure he’s had his fair share of unblemished bodies.”
“A handsome face is just that. It takes much more to lead the people.” Her younger aunt adds.
Always the peacemaker. All the women grunt their agreement. The lifting begins.
Ndoni has never met her groom. Neither has he met her. They’ve had glimpses of each other, of course, but years ago when they were still children. No one has seen him for two years now. Not since he left with the royal warriors to prepare for the taking over from his father, Chief Mwande. From the lithe, energetic boy vain than anything, rumor is, he’s a formidable man now. Ready to lead his people. Ndoni, at her end, has been taught her whole life that when the time comes, her place is next to the Chief. She’s never been sure what that entails exactly. Her grandmother, together with the women who have just left have made it clear. She is to choose her words carefully. Always wait for her husband. Make sure he is comfortable. Always. She is to do anything and everything he instructs her to do. Most importantly, she should bear him heirs. As soon as they lie next to each other. She blushes at that. It all sounds easy enough. She’s watched women doing it her entire childhood. She is ready. She doesn’t understand why her aunt doubts her. Maybe because she wishes it was her daughter, Hlelo and not her getting ready to be queen. As sweet as Hlelo is though, she is no beauty like her. No one is. She is distracted from her thoughts by voices outside. Her eyes rove over the voluminous, dark skirt made from cow hide she’s wearing. She’s never looked so good before. She stands. Ready for the gathering to begin. Her wedding party should start singing soon. Instead, she hears footsteps. Just before her cousin, Hlelo steps inside. Her eyes are wide.
“What?” She demands, “Are they here?”
“They are delayed. Grandmother says you should not worry.”
Her eyes do not quiet meet hers. Just then, her older aunt enters.
“All the wasted time. Now he decides to disappear.”
“What are you talking about?” She asks her aunt.
“Your people. They are not here. They can’t find your groom.”
Ndoni doesn’t understand. It’s her wedding day. Everyone knows it. Including her groom.
“But they will find him?”
“Of course,” Hlelo answers.
“We don’t know,” Her aunt adds at the same time.
She sits. She’s never met him, but she’s heard Butho is dutiful. That he will make a hard but great Chief. is coming. Of course, he is. Any man would be proud to have her as a wife. She is fit to be queen.
“He’s here,” Her younger she bursts into the hut.
“Who?” Both Hlelo and her older aunt asks.
“Prince Butho. He is here.”
Ndoni shoots up.
“But he should not. It’s not tradition.”
Outside, the singing starts. The four women exchange glances. Her aunt nods. Ndoni’s already at the door when she realizes she wants to cry. She is sad. This is her home. Since she was a little baby who never knew her mother. And now she has to leave. Outside, her father takes her hand. Her bead-veiled face is downcast. She’s been instructed to keep it down the entire time but as the singing escalates, she has this intense urge to look up. She cannot ignore it. Immediately her eyes lock with those of a stranger. He’s in a crowd yet he stands taller. He has a striking face. Broad shouldered. She knows it’s her groom without needing to be told. Something happens then. Something that’s never happened before. Her face becomes too hot. Her stomach fills with bubbles. She looks down fast. Not before seeing the smile from the tall man.
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