A Zambian Wedding Reception

On Saturday I went to a Zambian wedding reception. It was my third one. This one was for my "substitute" nanny, Mavis. She helped us out when our nanny, Grace, had to take time off to take care of her sick husband.

Zambia is 80% Christian and Zambians are very religious. Mavis was married in a church and throughout the reception there was a lot of reference to God and Jesus. My favorite part is the dancing. When the wedding party enters the reception hall, they perform a choreographed routine they have been working on for a month. It ends with the bride and groom coming in. Also when it is time to cut the cake, there is a knife boy or girl. They also dance in with the knife to present to the matron which is an older women , who is paid, that takes the bride and groom through the reception. After the cake is cut and the bride and groom each take a bite, they present a section of the cake to their families. It is not divided up amongst the guests. I have video of the knife dance and will try to post it soon.The wedding party dancing in.

These are the junior bridesmaids and junior groomsmen. Very skilled dancers for their age!

Patrick and Mavis

Getting ready to receive the knife.

Scholastica, our nanny, Patrick, Mavis, Grace, our nanny and the pastor (in blue)