Ankole’s Jewel Finds Love
Jan 20, 2003
Ankole’s pride is gone. Princess Caroline Keza, eldest daughter of Prince John Barigye, was given away to her Irish suitor last weekend.
By Angela Nampewo
Ankole’s pride is gone. Princess Caroline Keza, eldest daughter of Prince John Barigye, was given away to her Irish suitor last weekend. The giveaway ceremony or kuhingira, as it is known in Ankole, was the climax of the cultural wedding ceremonies that started with the introduction of the groom on Thursday at the Prince’s new palace, ‘Muhabura Kariro’ in Kashaari, Mbarara last Saturday.
Suitor Eamonn Ryan was accompanied by a surprisingly large group of family and friends; among them, his parents Mr. and Mrs Seamus Ryan, his brothers and sisters as well as friends and workmates.
To show their total devotion to the bride’s family, the Ryan Clan wore Kinyankore traditional wear and wore it well. Some of the smartest guests at the ceremony were Irish.
The beauty of the Bahima ladies aside, most of the guests were struck by the sparkling new palace that stands on a five acre plot, the marquee where the guests were entertained and the artistry that went into the decoration of the palace grounds.
The groom’s party were overwhelmed by the hospitality. One of Eamonn’s workmates at Reuter’s International confessed that for all the time he’d known the couple, he hadn’t known that Keza was a princess. According Keza’s mum, May Barigye, she and Ryan met at a rafting party in South Africa, where the two had stayed for most of their lives. Keza studied at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and is qualified in Town planning.
As a result, another big group of friends and relatives travelled from South Africa to attend the ceremony. The new royal couple were given many gifts, including cows and locally crafted items such as cowhide carpets and sandals, paintings, utensils, cloth and the all important ómugamba set of milk pots and jugs, that signify that the bride’s parents have given away their girl.
In turn, Prince Barigye got 100 cows from the people of Ankole. Royalty from the other kingdoms was there to celebrate Ankole’s joy. Toro was represented by Queen mother Best Kemigisha and many ministers of Toro. Busoga’s Kyabazinga came with his wife and from Buganda, there was Prince Wassajja and Nalinnya Nabaloga.
The Government was represented by Works and transport minister John Nasasira. The ceremony was so well organised that there was little if anything to complain about. We didn’t get to see the bride at all during the ceremony as she was all covered up, but then culture is to blame for that.
With the cultural formalities behind them, Eamonn Ryan and Princess Keza will be wed on Saturday at Rubaga Cathedral after which they will host their guests to a reception at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
As they go to the altar, the couple have over 10 cows in their possession, given to them as gifts: “Eamonn’s parents are farmers, they would know what to do with cows,†joked one of the Irish guests. Ends
Ankole’s pride is gone. Princess Caroline Keza, eldest daughter of Prince John Barigye, was given away to her Irish suitor last weekend. The giveaway ceremony or kuhingira, as it is known in Ankole, was the climax of the cultural wedding ceremonies that started with the introduction of the groom on Thursday at the Prince’s new palace, ‘Muhabura Kariro’ in Kashaari, Mbarara last Saturday.
Suitor Eamonn Ryan was accompanied by a surprisingly large group of family and friends; among them, his parents Mr. and Mrs Seamus Ryan, his brothers and sisters as well as friends and workmates.
To show their total devotion to the bride’s family, the Ryan Clan wore Kinyankore traditional wear and wore it well. Some of the smartest guests at the ceremony were Irish.
The beauty of the Bahima ladies aside, most of the guests were struck by the sparkling new palace that stands on a five acre plot, the marquee where the guests were entertained and the artistry that went into the decoration of the palace grounds.
The groom’s party were overwhelmed by the hospitality. One of Eamonn’s workmates at Reuter’s International confessed that for all the time he’d known the couple, he hadn’t known that Keza was a princess. According Keza’s mum, May Barigye, she and Ryan met at a rafting party in South Africa, where the two had stayed for most of their lives. Keza studied at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and is qualified in Town planning.
As a result, another big group of friends and relatives travelled from South Africa to attend the ceremony. The new royal couple were given many gifts, including cows and locally crafted items such as cowhide carpets and sandals, paintings, utensils, cloth and the all important ómugamba set of milk pots and jugs, that signify that the bride’s parents have given away their girl.
In turn, Prince Barigye got 100 cows from the people of Ankole. Royalty from the other kingdoms was there to celebrate Ankole’s joy. Toro was represented by Queen mother Best Kemigisha and many ministers of Toro. Busoga’s Kyabazinga came with his wife and from Buganda, there was Prince Wassajja and Nalinnya Nabaloga.
The Government was represented by Works and transport minister John Nasasira. The ceremony was so well organised that there was little if anything to complain about. We didn’t get to see the bride at all during the ceremony as she was all covered up, but then culture is to blame for that.
With the cultural formalities behind them, Eamonn Ryan and Princess Keza will be wed on Saturday at Rubaga Cathedral after which they will host their guests to a reception at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
As they go to the altar, the couple have over 10 cows in their possession, given to them as gifts: “Eamonn’s parents are farmers, they would know what to do with cows,†joked one of the Irish guests. Ends