Weddings in Mali

My homologue's neice's wedding was today. I got there just in time. This is a picture of their yard right when I got there. Everyone was waiting for the bride and groom to show up. They were coming from the Mayor's where they sign the marriage papers and kiss. Everyone was dressed really nicely and getting restless in the heat.

Finally the married couple arrived. They drove up in a fancy car flanked by a bunch of motorcycles honking their horns. The couple were escorted into the yard where a woman sang a song about them and talked about their future good fortune. Everyone watched and took pictures.

Then finally they got to get up and leave and go to the round point and take pictures. The setting for many Malian music videos and wedding photos are at the round points (the cement center of an intersection). In Bamako the round points are the few green places, they are landscaped and usually feature an ugly statue. While they were off doing that, we got to dance and eat!

Popsicle snack before lunch. They mix ginger with orange juice, put it in plastic bags and freeze them. To eat them you rip a corner of the bag with your teeth and suck out the juice.

Kids watching the dancing.

Women dancing.