Komuntale’s giveaway party today

KABAROLE

Today all roads lead to Gweri Village in Karambi Sub-county, Kabarole District for Princess Ruth Komuntale’s giveaway ceremony.

The function will be held at the home of Mr Charles Kamurasi, the paternal uncle of Princess Komuntale. Mr Kamurasi is the omusuuga (head of the royal clan, the Babiito).

The venue is about five kilometres off Fort Portal-Kamwenge road but to avoid heavy traffic, one can use the eight kilometre road off Katcwamba Trading Centre on Fort Portal-Kasese road and go past St. Leo’s College Kyegobe.

The road through St. Leo’s Kyegobe has been renovated but the venue lacks piped water and efforts to provide it, by National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) before the function have been futile. The organisers are relying on the police water tanker to supply water today.

The venue has always relied on solar power but efforts are currently being made by Umeme to extend power to the site. Mr Kamurasi’s home has been renovated and the old furniture has been replaced with new one.

At least 1,000 guests have been invited and these include the President and other dignitaries. According to the organising committee, the giveaway and wedding ceremonies will cost about Shs1.5b.

Prince Isaac Rabwoni Amooti, the secretary of the royal Babiito clan, says cultural values will be fully observed.

Rabwoni says the giveaway ceremony will be preceded by the kujumbura, performed by Omujwera Musuuga, a paternal uncle to Princess Komuntale. Traditionally, the king is not allowed to attend this ceremony so King Oyo Nyimba will not be present for the function.Princess Komuntale will don bark cloth, traditional wear of the Babiito before she sits on Kamurasi’s lap. “It is a sign of good luck,” says Rabwoni.

According to Rabwoni, the bridegroom and his party will be led by Mr Katenta Apuuli, a former ambassador, who will lead his side through the culture and rituals of Tooro.
Today, Christopher Thomas, the bridegroom will be given a pet name (Amooti) and will join one of the more than 90 clans of Tooro.

Later, celebrations will go on throughout the night where the royal dance, Amakondere, music blaring out of wooden flutes and drums will be played.

Rabwoni says such a function last took place on December 18, 1965 during the wedding of Princess Elizabeth Mpanja, daughter to Komuntale’s grandfather, Omukama George Kamurasi Rukidi III, to Lt. Col. William Ndahendekire.

Tooro traditional wedding rituals

Should Christopher Thomas and his entourage arrive after midday, they risk being turned away because in Tooro tradition no marriage can be allowed when the sun is overhead but if they arrive early the brides family has the right to keep them waiting provided they send notification of their arrival in time.

Once they are allowed into the compound they will be required to carry two calabashes of local brew for “opening” the gates ( (Kukingura irembo).
Upon arrival, they will be welcomed. Then the spokesperson for the bride’s family will ask the grooms entourage to select nine members (Omwenda) who will be moved into the main house where they will be served gourds of milk, coffee berries as a sign of friendship.

All the other guests in the tent will also be served milk. Tradition demands that you drink all the milk served to you, it is considered uncouth to leave half a glass. Then negotiations will commence, the hosts start by pretending they were attending their own meeting and only allowed and served the guests out of courtesy and Tooro hospitality.

Then the spokesperson pleads and announces reason for their visit. There about six steps in the negotiation for a girl’s hand in marriage and at each stage a large calabash of local brew (Tonto) will be presented. These days that is accompanied by other modern drinks like bottled beer and soda (considered and announced as juice for the mothers).

Bride wealth is paid in cattle and the number might vary depending on the bride’s family and the understanding with the groom’s family. The wealthier the family, the more the cattle one might have to pay.

It is understood that the royal family considered waiving the bride wealth requirement for Thomas. This could be partly because all wealth in the kingdom is presumed to belong to the king.

At least three rounds of beautiful girls will be paraded in succession for the groom to pick the one he wants to be his wife.

Once the bride has been identified, the bride price is negotiated and the father’s consent granted, then the girl will also be asked to confirm that it is indeed the man she wants to marry before the family can accept any gifts and the bride wealth.
A meal will be served to all after the negotiations and a party will follow until the last guest leaves.

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