A Big Fat Senegalese-American Wedding

On February 2^nd, 2012 one of my best friends here in the Peace Corps, Jessica, got ‘married’ to her American boyfriend who was visiting on vacation. About 30 of us Peace Corps Volunteers traveled across the country to her village of Keur Madiabel in the region of Kaolack. Of course the wedding had to be done right, so we all donned our finest of Senegalese apparel and with typical Senegalese wedding gifts in hand: 2 chickens, a duck, and a set of nesting bowls filled with rice, onions and bouillon cubes (the bowls were my gift, she swore she’d kill me if I ever bought her nesting bowls, so of course I did), we took an Alhum from the regional capital out to Jessica’s village to share in the celebration. We danced and drank attayah (Senegalese tea) for hours. The lunch was ridiculously delicious thanks to Jessica who sprang for the high-end 50,000 fCFA (or about $100) sheep, and the women in her family who helped cook and prepare all the food. Keeping with the 2^nd Peace Corps Goal of sharing American traditions with our host country nationals and in keeping with the Jewish tradition of Jessica’s family (she’s half-Jewish) we had her boyfriend Armand perform the “Breaking of the Glass,” followed by a terrible rendition “Hava Nagila” while hosting Jessica up and down in the air in the chair she was sitting in. It was pretty amazing and hilarious, and it confused the hell out of all the Senegalese guests (check out a video of it here).

the ladies of Jessica's family preparing the food

there's the blushing bride in the background

Jessica had her make-up done up in true Senegalese-Wolof Wedding fashion (think Drag Queen...) oh and she got a weave too

the Bride and Groom, Jessica and Armand

the dance party that ensued for hours

Armand, Me and Jessica

Me and Ari & Jennie, two of the Bridesmaids, just look at their amazing Chiquita Banana inspired dresses!