Ankole Princess Marries Irishman
FOR the first time in the history of Ankole, a European has been allowed to pick a bride from the royal family.<br>
By Allan Turyaguma
FOR the first time in the history of Ankole, a European has been allowed to pick a bride from the royal family.
The crown prince John Barigye on Saturday gave blessings to his daughter Princes Caroline Keza Barigye to be married to Eamonn Ryan, a rich dairy farmer from the Republic of Ireland.
The cultural ceremony known as okuhingira (give away) was held at Barigye’s Muhabura Kariro Palace in Kashaari Mbarara district.
Many critics of the Ankole monarchy and those who support it freely talked about the strange thing that had occurred in the royal family for the first time in its over 600 years of existence.
Prince Edward Kiraaka, Barigye’s elder brother, said as the world progressively becomes a global village, it was vital for the royal family to adjust to the changes.
“Keza has become ekibaaju (first person to do a wonderful thing),†Kiraaka told over 2,500 guests who attended the okuhingira.
He said it was good that the princess had united the royal family of Ankole with other families in the world.
The suitors party, most of who were whites, arrived at the palace at about 2:40pm led by the former Uganda Revenue Authority boss, Elly Rwakakooko, who acted as the kateerarume (go-between).
The locals were amused to see white men wearing kanzu (long traditional tunic) and the ladies in sparkling busuuti.
After the efunguro (lunch) had been served, Barigye, accompanied by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Wako Muloki and his wife, Toro queen mother Best Kemigisa and princess Nalinnya of Buganda, took their seats.
The mugore (bride) and her maids, all veiled, slowly walked from the house to the kidaara (reception area) led by a Rwandan dancing troupe who entertained the guests.
After prayers led by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Paul Bakyenga, assisted by Bishop Amos Betungura, the okuhingira began.
Keza’s younger brothers Princes Rwebishengye and Ntomi ya Rugazinda gave her away to Ryan and presented the omugamba (set of milk containers), a valuable gift to the groom in Ankole.
There was a stir when the groom’s side failed to do ekyevuugo (poetic recital) in appreciation of the omugamba.
After Rwakakooko‘s Christian song called tukutendereza was politely rejected, he had to employ the skills of two Banyankore artists to do the recital on behalf of the suitors. The wedding is scheduled for Saturday in Kampala.Ends
FOR the first time in the history of Ankole, a European has been allowed to pick a bride from the royal family.
The crown prince John Barigye on Saturday gave blessings to his daughter Princes Caroline Keza Barigye to be married to Eamonn Ryan, a rich dairy farmer from the Republic of Ireland.
The cultural ceremony known as okuhingira (give away) was held at Barigye’s Muhabura Kariro Palace in Kashaari Mbarara district.
Many critics of the Ankole monarchy and those who support it freely talked about the strange thing that had occurred in the royal family for the first time in its over 600 years of existence.
Prince Edward Kiraaka, Barigye’s elder brother, said as the world progressively becomes a global village, it was vital for the royal family to adjust to the changes.
“Keza has become ekibaaju (first person to do a wonderful thing),†Kiraaka told over 2,500 guests who attended the okuhingira.
He said it was good that the princess had united the royal family of Ankole with other families in the world.
The suitors party, most of who were whites, arrived at the palace at about 2:40pm led by the former Uganda Revenue Authority boss, Elly Rwakakooko, who acted as the kateerarume (go-between).
The locals were amused to see white men wearing kanzu (long traditional tunic) and the ladies in sparkling busuuti.
After the efunguro (lunch) had been served, Barigye, accompanied by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Wako Muloki and his wife, Toro queen mother Best Kemigisa and princess Nalinnya of Buganda, took their seats.
The mugore (bride) and her maids, all veiled, slowly walked from the house to the kidaara (reception area) led by a Rwandan dancing troupe who entertained the guests.
After prayers led by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Paul Bakyenga, assisted by Bishop Amos Betungura, the okuhingira began.
Keza’s younger brothers Princes Rwebishengye and Ntomi ya Rugazinda gave her away to Ryan and presented the omugamba (set of milk containers), a valuable gift to the groom in Ankole.
There was a stir when the groom’s side failed to do ekyevuugo (poetic recital) in appreciation of the omugamba.
After Rwakakooko‘s Christian song called tukutendereza was politely rejected, he had to employ the skills of two Banyankore artists to do the recital on behalf of the suitors. The wedding is scheduled for Saturday in Kampala.Ends