Fashion and the Women of Africa!
This is a blog about a colorful event…
I was blessed to get an invite to this two part African Wedding Celebration. The event I went to was the first part in “Exchanging of the Labolla“. The second will be the big wedding taking place in a couple of months in Cape Town, South Africa.
Now you are asking me what on earth is “Exchanging of the Labolla?” In Africa, if a man wants to get married they have to pay the family of the bride with “labolla” which is paying them not in money but in cattle. This event was the celebration of the handing over of the cattle. I will briefly explain how this took place….
After months of negotiating the families came to an agreement and the negotiator was called up front to announce the final decision made. He told us that the bride’s family asked for no less than 4 head of cattle and maximum 11. If the grooms family gave them 10 head it would mean that the bride was no longer a virgin. No one at wedding, not even the bride’s family knew the final decision till this moment.
The negotiator was proud to announce that the groom’s family was handing over 11 head of cattle, valuing the bride that much! I’m sure it was a huge relieve that it wasn’t 10 for the bride’s family (I had to laugh at that moment). The crowd went crazy with clapping of hands, singing, yelling and dancing!
What does this have to do with fashion? Honestly I have no clue, I just love sharing these traditions from my country with you. I will get to the fashion, cause let me tell you it was surely a colorful event! I was just crazy about the women this day. My camera did not stop clicking. I was indeed “papparazi”.
Please allow me to share with you the FASHION AND WOMEN OF AFRICA:
I was just crazy about the black and white color blocking!
Also crazy and obsessed with this following girl. I felt like a stalker and have a ton of pictures of her. Her whole look was so stylish!
Another favorite of mine was this Tribal Navy Tube Dress!!! I want one!!
It was a day full of color and a lot of tradition. No one was in a hurry and I could take my time studying every inch of every dress, headband and jewelry.
People were happy! People were celebrating!
This next woman could almost be the "Victoria Beckham" of South Africa! Right??
Then there were these two....with traditional tribal dresses and fur on they're shoulders. How sassy I thought...
Tribal Style Mermaid Dress....
Hugs and Kisses....
Gorgeous outfit....with tennis shoes??? Mmmm...
Then there was THE BRIDE.... but not yet....
Before she could come out, the father of the bride called a group of dancers together and they started walking and dancing and screaming and shouting till they got to the house where the bride was hiding. If hiding is what you can call it? The dancers had to stand in front of the house and sing to her, these songs would be the "call for the bride to come out", in my own words.
Calling.....
Calling....
I love this pic!
Even grandma was calling!
First the bridesmaids came out with beaded tribal attire from head to toe....
Then there was the bride! She was gorgeous. I just could not understand that just for a moment she lifted her head. Rest of the time she was walking with her head upside down? That is something I am still not able to figure out.
For the rest of the ceremony the bride sat with her mother while she was entertained with hours of singing and dancing. This was the part where I got really hungry. If all of this was so so interesting, what would the food be like was all on my mind at this stage.
Here is a picture of the bride bending, and that was the way she remained till all of the entertainment was over. Crazy!
There is just nothing like sharing culture and fashion, and food of course!
What was I wearing? A One Shoulder Chelsea's Boutique Maxi Dress, what else??
I might not be good with words, but I think I paint a pretty good picture with photos...
Till next event....
Lots of love, and miss the store :(
I was blessed to get an invite to this two part African Wedding Celebration. The event I went to was the first part in “Exchanging of the Labolla“. The second will be the big wedding taking place in a couple of months in Cape Town, South Africa.
Now you are asking me what on earth is “Exchanging of the Labolla?” In Africa, if a man wants to get married they have to pay the family of the bride with “labolla” which is paying them not in money but in cattle. This event was the celebration of the handing over of the cattle. I will briefly explain how this took place….
After months of negotiating the families came to an agreement and the negotiator was called up front to announce the final decision made. He told us that the bride’s family asked for no less than 4 head of cattle and maximum 11. If the grooms family gave them 10 head it would mean that the bride was no longer a virgin. No one at wedding, not even the bride’s family knew the final decision till this moment.
The negotiator was proud to announce that the groom’s family was handing over 11 head of cattle, valuing the bride that much! I’m sure it was a huge relieve that it wasn’t 10 for the bride’s family (I had to laugh at that moment). The crowd went crazy with clapping of hands, singing, yelling and dancing!
What does this have to do with fashion? Honestly I have no clue, I just love sharing these traditions from my country with you. I will get to the fashion, cause let me tell you it was surely a colorful event! I was just crazy about the women this day. My camera did not stop clicking. I was indeed “papparazi”.
Please allow me to share with you the FASHION AND WOMEN OF AFRICA:
I was just crazy about the black and white color blocking!
Also crazy and obsessed with this following girl. I felt like a stalker and have a ton of pictures of her. Her whole look was so stylish!
Another favorite of mine was this Tribal Navy Tube Dress!!! I want one!!
It was a day full of color and a lot of tradition. No one was in a hurry and I could take my time studying every inch of every dress, headband and jewelry.
People were happy! People were celebrating!
This next woman could almost be the "Victoria Beckham" of South Africa! Right??
Then there were these two....with traditional tribal dresses and fur on they're shoulders. How sassy I thought...
Tribal Style Mermaid Dress....
Hugs and Kisses....
Gorgeous outfit....with tennis shoes??? Mmmm...
Then there was THE BRIDE.... but not yet....
Before she could come out, the father of the bride called a group of dancers together and they started walking and dancing and screaming and shouting till they got to the house where the bride was hiding. If hiding is what you can call it? The dancers had to stand in front of the house and sing to her, these songs would be the "call for the bride to come out", in my own words.
Calling.....
Calling....
I love this pic!
Even grandma was calling!
First the bridesmaids came out with beaded tribal attire from head to toe....
Then there was the bride! She was gorgeous. I just could not understand that just for a moment she lifted her head. Rest of the time she was walking with her head upside down? That is something I am still not able to figure out.
For the rest of the ceremony the bride sat with her mother while she was entertained with hours of singing and dancing. This was the part where I got really hungry. If all of this was so so interesting, what would the food be like was all on my mind at this stage.
Here is a picture of the bride bending, and that was the way she remained till all of the entertainment was over. Crazy!
There is just nothing like sharing culture and fashion, and food of course!
What was I wearing? A One Shoulder Chelsea's Boutique Maxi Dress, what else??
I might not be good with words, but I think I paint a pretty good picture with photos...
Till next event....
Lots of love, and miss the store :(
