DAILY NEWS FROM MAMLAKAT KALAHARI
(http://mykalahariblogaddress.blogspot.com)
((see dara's video of Queen Vi's party https://youtu.be/EtOflO7KktA))
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Women Gather at Bath House for Ritual Bath of Bride
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BATH HOUSE RITUAL
It is traditional in Kalahari weddings that the bride and her female friends gather to prepare her for the wedding and her husband. And so it was that numerous of Samaira's loved ones gathered to bathe her, and dress her, in preparation for the great event.
The nervous bride seemed comforted by her friends and their support,
like talented Abla, lovely Willow and beautiful Motiaa.
The bathing part of the ceremony is clearly only for female eyes,
but the end result was a beautiful bride, prepared to meet the Commander of the Royal Guard, if he and the other men did not get lost on the way from the Tavern to the Bath House.
TAVERN
While the women were preparing Samaira for the ceremony, some of James' male friends were "preparing" him. Though water had no role in THIS ritual, no criminal reports were filed.
Finally, just in time for the ceremony, the Commander and his friends made their way to the ceremony, fortunately not losing their way between the Tavern and the Bath House.
As the dashing Commander met his radiant bride at the Bath House, Afraa made one final review of the preparations, and she greeted the outstanding musician and fabled beauty BUBBLES, whose courage in rising from a sick bed, and haunting music, added such a crowning touch to the ceremony.
THE SWORD DANCE
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ROYAL GUARD COMMANDER JAMES
WEDS KALAHARI BEAUTY SAMAIRA!
HUGE THRONG SALUTES LOVELY COUPLE
IN KALAHARI PALACE GARDENS
IN KALAHARI PALACE GARDENS
Women Gather at Bath House for Ritual Bath of Bride
Men Gather at Tavern for Pre-Wedding Celebration
BATH HOUSE RITUAL
It is traditional in Kalahari weddings that the bride and her female friends gather to prepare her for the wedding and her husband. And so it was that numerous of Samaira's loved ones gathered to bathe her, and dress her, in preparation for the great event.
The nervous bride seemed comforted by her friends and their support,
like talented Abla, lovely Willow and beautiful Motiaa.
The bathing part of the ceremony is clearly only for female eyes,
but the end result was a beautiful bride, prepared to meet the Commander of the Royal Guard, if he and the other men did not get lost on the way from the Tavern to the Bath House.
TAVERN
While the women were preparing Samaira for the ceremony, some of James' male friends were "preparing" him. Though water had no role in THIS ritual, no criminal reports were filed.
Finally, just in time for the ceremony, the Commander and his friends made their way to the ceremony, fortunately not losing their way between the Tavern and the Bath House.
As the dashing Commander met his radiant bride at the Bath House, Afraa made one final review of the preparations, and she greeted the outstanding musician and fabled beauty BUBBLES, whose courage in rising from a sick bed, and haunting music, added such a crowning touch to the ceremony.
INTRODUCTION TO THE WEDDING CEREMONY
Afraa: “My dear fellow Kalaharians and
honored guests, it is so good to see you all be a part of the wonderful event
we celebrate today. In the dangerous world we live in, during these perilous
times, we look for signs of rebirth, for a springtime that will allow all
people to welcome and support each other, to accept and care for each other, to
love each other.”
CEREMONY
King Hassan: "Thank you, Afraa, for your
introduction. It is a wonderful thing to connect the strength and courage of
Commander James El Kalaharian with the beauty and sensitivity of the lovely
Lady Samaira. I am sure they will be a perfect couple and will offer so much
joy to our little Kingdom. And I must admit, that I deeply admire James El
Kalaharian for his skill in selecting the most beautiful woman (apart for my
Queen) in our lands. To show my appreciation, I will allow the Commander to
bear the title "Sheik" as a token of his good taste and his
persistence. From now on he will be
Commander Sheik James El Kalaharian."
MARRIAGE VOWS
"Now let’s come to the point. My dear Samaira, may I ask you to do your vows?"
Samaira: "I vow to love and honor
you in good times and bad. I give you my heart to protect from hurt, my body to
care for you, my soul to watch over us, and my love forever. I pledge myself to
you as your loyal and loving wife."
Smiles as she dabs a tear from her
eye.
James: "My vow to you is to be
your husband, your lover and your best friend.
I have always said that I am the luckiest man here and I truly believe
that, because I get to marry my best friend who is always surprising and
challenging me. I promise always to be
there with you, through good and bad, through the fun and all the
shopping. I love you my beautiful caring
wife."
King Hassan: "I now pronounces you husband and wife."
As the audience heard these beautiful words, wild applause from the assembled congregation surrounded the loving couple, passionately kissing in front of the aged King.
NILASSO'S LETTER
(Samaira and James' dear friend)
"Hi Samaira, James and all people
of Kalahari:
Unfortunately, a storm forced my ship
to go to another port and I can’t be back to Kalahari in time for the today’s
wedding. So, I use the service of a carrier pigeon to offer, on behalf of the
Garden of 1001 Pleasures, and on my own behalf, my congratulations to the
newlyweds.
I wish you a lot of love, happiness,
and maybe children. But I warn you, even though I'm used to dealing with
childish attitudes in Kalahari,
I'm not very good for babysitting!
My best wishes to the Commander of the
Royal Guard, and his new wife… who sometimes commands the Commander.
See you soon, Nilasso"THE SWORD DANCE
Afraa: "AND NOW, THE KALAHARI DANCERS PERFORM THE "SWORD DANCE" SYMBOLIZING THE STRENGTH, LOYALTY AND COURAGE OF THE ROYAL GUARD IN THEIR DEFENSE OF ALL IN KALAHARI."
And with that, the flower of Kalahari dancing burst onto the scene, sabres waving dangerously, as they gyrated among the guests, to the admiration, mixed with fear, of all there present.
THE PARTY!
It is difficult to say what was the highlight of Reception, since, unfortunately, "The Best Man of Kalahari," Abu, was unable to attend but there were some other men there who are almost as wonderful as Abu.
Of course, there was Commander Sheik James,
dancing with his beautiful bride, Samaira:
It is difficult to say what was the highlight of Reception, since, unfortunately, "The Best Man of Kalahari," Abu, was unable to attend but there were some other men there who are almost as wonderful as Abu.
Of course, there was Commander Sheik James,
dancing with his beautiful bride, Samaira:
For some others, it was for the chance to share once more a closeness with slaves, old friends and new, and a chance to renew that most powerful force
in our world: Love, as displayed by Sir Peace Furst and Willow.
And of course Minister Afraa was ripped away from the food table long enough to dance with Sir SewardDunholm.
SCENES FROM THE WEDDING: THE RICHES OF KALAHARI
Many commented on the diversity of Kalahari, and that also was on full display, as men and women, slaves and free, the deeply religious and those not religious at all, black, brown, white--all come together to celebrate the happy event.
and Afraa (ahahahaha.)
But finally, the treasures of Kalahari: its residents, friends, allies, and even sometime enemies, gathered and enjoyed, and displayed the sort of community that the King and Queen have pledged to build, and the Commander defend, and Samaira build.
ALL HAIL THE GLORY OF KALAHARI!
WEDDING GUEST ROLL OF HONOR
King Hassan ibn Trrrol, Queen Dara Khsan ibn Trrrol, Commander Sheikh Fariq James El Kalaharian (Groom), Lady Samaira Valentina (Bride), BUBBLES the courageous musician, Queen Nathalie of Romania, Sir Peace Furst, Willow, Abla, Lady Stephanie Brown, Sir SewardDunholm, Dr. Albert, Lady Tina Wo, Dalia, Lady Sigrid Bonne, Tasha Weston, Roxe, Ebony, Motiaa; Divine Sultana ATOSSA and Lady Nilasso returned late, as their vessel (NOT captained by Thorgrim or Minghus!) was delayed by storms, but in time for the end of the reception; and modest Minister Afraa al Abid aslo attended.
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Afraa al Abid
Kalahari Herald
(shown with her editing tools)
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