The Road Report
A Wedding Celebration
December 20, 1998
One of my most memorable experiences during the Christmas Ministry period was attending a wedding. Marriages are celebrated by the entire Barrio and the families of the bride and groom provide food, drink and entertainment for the entire community. Some of the community members gave me quick dance lessons for the traditional dancing that takes place. As for eating, I knew how to do that before I got there!


The dancing begins as the bride and groom watch-- people are called up to dance by groups: bride's family, groom's family, visitors for such and such a barrio etc.


A close up of the bride and groom.



Dancing the traditional dance accompanied by a series of gongs.



A woman in a traditional wrap around dress joins in the dancing.



Myself holding two cups of rice wine with the mother of the bride.



Besides traditional dancing, a tape was used for waltzes and polkas.



More dancing: left hand forward, right hand cupped at your side-- I had most trouble with the turn which is executed on one leg!



Children watching the dancing while enjoying ice cream.

Dinner is served in long stalks cut from banana trees-- biggest plate I ever ate off of!!



Another view of participants filling their banana stalk plates-- I'd like to go back again to do more research in this particular area!!



All music was provided by a group of gong players who used rods and their hands to create the intricate rythms.



The gong playing became quite energetic and men would transfer gongs to each other during the playing to take rests.



Attendants supervising the distribution of the rice wine which is fermented in pots such as the one on the table.



Two friends pause to have their picture taken.



General Index of Travel Photographs



The Seal of Creighton University
This page is managed by
Rev. Raymond A. Bucko, S.J.
of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
at Creighton University.

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Page Last Updated: July 3, 2002