Ethiopia
On my way home from Malawi, I got stranded in Ethiopia for a day. There are a few things I would have done differently if I were to do it again: 1. I’d bring Rachel, 2. I wouldn’t eat the onion salad, and 3. I would have brought Lonely Planet with me. But overall, it was pretty incredible, even for a day, and now I have a better idea of what to do if I go again.
The Haile Selassie Church:
I had to ask this gentleman’s boss for permission to shoot his portrait. Completely worth it.
African Joy
Africa makes me happy.
For people who haven’t been there, it may seem strange to say that. In the US, a lot of what we hear and see and think about Africa has to do with poverty and suffering and disease and death. And it’s true, those things are all a part of life in Africa. But many of the happiest people I’ve met are Africans, and Malawi might have been the most joyful African country I’ve visited. Life is simpler there. You have to learn to be content with less, but you have less to worry about as a result. So I dedicate this blog post to competing with every photograph you’ve ever seen of miserable malnourished kids with flies in their eyes. See a different side of Africa. See people’s joy!
Kondi & Patricia
Okay, here it is! My first international wedding was for my dear friend Kondwani in Malawi! What’s a Malawian wedding look like? Something like this…
They wanted a western ceremony, so they asked Pastor Brian to do it for them. He was ecstatic, as you can see. 🙂
The signing of the Marriage Certificate is an important part of the ceremony.
I totally dig all the groomsmen’s ties.
I forgot to ask if the song they were singing was a traditional wedding song, or just something they made up on the spot. Either way, it was lovely.
Winter is the rainy season in this part of the world, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits in the least.
Patricia is super sweet.
And Kondwani totally made it fun! Aptly, his name means “happiness.”
There were at least twice as many guests at the reception, arriving by all kinds of ways…
Here they come!
There’s a reason everyone was playing with money…
Like a money dance to the extreme: much of the reception is centered around pelekani, the practice of giving money to the bride and groom for their life together. For several hours, people are throwing money on the floor or into baskets, often dancing to the music from the DJs. Everyone who lights a candle, makes a toast, or is involved at all is throwing money the whole time. In case you didn’t bring change, there are cashiers who will break your bills into smaller ones for you. There’s a playful sense of competition, with one half of the room trying to out-give the other half, people bidding on their favorite soft drinks, or giving money when their favorite relative is holding the basket. Even pieces of the wedding cake are auctioned off! 
Kondwani and Patricia, if you ever read this, it was an absolute pleasure to be your wedding photographer! Kondi, all those years that I said I’d try to make it to your wedding, I seriously wondered if I would. I’m so glad I could be a part of your marriage’s beginning! Zikomo!!!