He's got some amazing moves
I have a strict rule about dancing in public…I don’t do it. No, it’s not because I’m against dancing. I’m just against people watching me. I was quite pleased that I’d managed to avoid being the center of attention at the various weddings and ceremonies that I’ve gone to over here. Steve just gives in to the requests and does a little dance to satisfy the crowd. Well, my luck had to run out sometime, right?
Steve’s very good friend, Mohammed, who works with him every day on every project just got “married”. Little background here…he came to us months ago to let us know that his girlfriend was expecting a baby and he needed to begin the marriage process. He gave kola nut to her family as an offering and to let them know that he was serious about marrying her. Since then, we have been following this marriage journey with him as he seeks to fulfill his obligations to her family.
This is no one step process. It means talking to a lot of people who each have to give their blessing, giving gifts to all those people and several ceremonies to actually be considered married. We are learning a lot of culture through this process! Since Mohammed’s family lives in another village about 10 hours away and Steve is his boss – we are seen as his parents and are responsible for him. While we are thankful that we can be a part of his life this way – it also means that we get to pay for a lot of things!
Mohammed came to us and told us that Mawa’s family had given him 10 days to put together the wedding ceremony. He also needed Steve to come and speak as his representative. Yeah, that’s a new one for us. Steve sat with Mohammed, the religious leaders of the village, the men of Mawa’s family and the leaders of the neighborhood as they discussed the price that Mohammed would need to pay to marry Mawa. There’s a crazy amount of things that he needed to buy for the family – rice, bowls, fabric, soap, a suitcase…the list went on and on. But, he agreed to it (and looked to us with hopeful eyes!).
Which brings us to the ceremony…after days of getting things together (speakers, sound system, gifts, food, fish, chairs…you get the idea) we were ready. We knew it was going to be a long day and we also knew that there is only so much that Ephraim can handle. You can be given a time when things will start, but it could be hours after that time that things actually begin. We had Mohammed call us when it looked close to starting. We arrived to a yard full of people and were given our usual seats right in the middle of everything (this way everyone can watch us at all times!)
Steve was taken to the “big man” meeting where they finished discussing the bride price. He said he really didn’t know what was going on since they were speaking in a language other than French. After a while, they all came back and the head religious leader sat in the center of the circle to begin prayers. They said prayers, gave out the gifts – all the while Mawa is sitting there waiting to find out if the men in her family will give the final okay for her to be married.
…SO, all this leads us back to the dancing! Then they start the party…Steve had brought along a dance mix CD that he’d compiled himself for the occasion 
They start playing the American music and calling out our names. Normally this is where I just smile politely and stay in my seat, but they weren’t having it at this party. The next thing I know I find myself in the middle of a huge circle trying not to completely humiliate myself. What a huge relief it was when my sons decided to steal the show and dance like they were in some kind of competition! Ephraim went all out with it. He was HILARIOUS. He had the entire group laughing their heads off. I don’t even know where he got all those moves – I just know I was glad that everyone had their eyes on him and not me!
Everyone sitting around as prayers are said
Mawa sitting with her mother waiting to her if the bride price has been accepted
Ephraim and Mohammed
That's my boy
All dressed up Guinean style
Steve and Casey Cretsinger Experiencing Tribal Missions in Guinea, W. Africa 
