It seemed like forever before the Chief sent a pack of warriors over to escort the groom and his entourage to the main village. Anakin's legs seemed to go weak all of a sudden. If not for Liane's support, Anakin was sure he'd be rolling down those steps.
They came out into the fresh air. It was almost nightfall. The group would ride gaily-decorated kadu while the groom and one of his friends would ride the only famba that stood by the steps. Anakin decided to take Liane as his mulgare(best man)
The whole party ambled towards the gate of the warrior village where they were preceded by a noisy band of musicians and young men bearing lighted torches. Along the way others-guest from neighboring villages heading for the main village-joined the group. Soon it was a long procession of singing and dancing humanity. Children were everywhere, squealing and shouting in delight.
Anakin looked around fascinated. A wide grin plastered on his face.
"Wow! He thought, all this trouble for a padawan!" This was indeed strange for him to be given special treatment. Coming from an order that discouraged any special treatment except the treatment accorded by padawans to their seniors.
Even being the chosen one didn't elicit a special status for him. He was the hero of many campaigns, distinguishing himself as a courageous pilot but back in the temple he was just another padawan and he hadn't thought it odd.
As they neared the Main village, Anakin noticed that not only was the gate decorated with colorful light but the trees all around too shimmered with tiny lamps right up to the lofty tops.
Guards rushed to open the gate, revealing more lights and decorations. Small globs of light hung in the air around them, seemingly tacked to the air. A long line of gaudily dressed young girls on either side of the path showered them with flower petals and chants of welcome.
Anakin tried to pinch himself and flinched at the pain- "This is real."
Once through the gate, the rest of the group fell back while a guard led the famba to a pedestal so that its passengers could get off gracefully. Chief Wakabu was there to receive them, embracing the groom and then his son, in a traditional welcome gesture of the host.
The chief lead the way. They climbed some steps to a raised platform, over looking the village square, it was crowded with people; a boiling and churning sea of bobbing heads and hands as they moved to the lively music.
Anakin wondered how the chief had managed to arrange this banquet on such a short notice. Hundreds of tiny oil lamps lined the gardens and walkways. A huge fountain flowed in the middle throwing a thin cool spray on the guests surrounding it.
"How did all of them know there was a wedding here?" Anakin thought aloud.
"The drums." Liane said. At noon the drummers relay the news from village to village and who ever hears it is invited.
"How will you'll feed them-surely they won't be sent home hungry!"
Lianne laughed. "Nothing lavish-simplicity is our key to a full life. All the chiefs are invited-each one gets a pre-arranged number of animals or game birds and then the warriors roast them on open fires."
Chief Wakabu led him to circle of chairs with regal looking gentlemen seated on it all with square turbans piled on their heads. This was the only time he saw them dressed; Capa men were half naked most of the time wearing only their customary animal skins around their waist.
The women wore long sheets draped around their bodies.
Anakin was led to all the chairs one by one where Chief Wakabu introduced council members, and other village chieftains to him and Anakin was in turn introduced to them, as his son-in-law Anakin Skywalker. Short greetings were exchanged and then onto the next guest.
At last he was led to a high chair set in the middle of the circle. The other boys all stood around him, in at ease position, with their hands locked before them. Chief Wakabu was running the show; there was a lot of ordering around.
Anakin felt the stares of over two dozen old men drilling through him. Somehow he felt they did not like him, so he just hung his head down not daring to stare back at them. He pulled Liane by the sleeves so that he was leaning over and whispered to him.
"Where is the bride he asked, when can I see her."
"Be patient, she is with the women." Lianne answered with a smile.
Presently Wakabu came; he had a small box with him. I present this ring to Anakin Skywalker so that he may present it to my daughter. Anakin was very grateful to the Chief. He just remembered he was getting married, without a ring. At that moment Anakin could have kissed old Wakabu on the cheeks, but he was so awkwardly stiff and rigid. He didn't trust himself to take two steps without falling. So he thought it wise to just sit quite.
It seemed like eternity before the boys behind seemed to stir and whisper among themselves.
"We'll be going soon." Liane announced. The boys were excited too. This was their rare chance to look out for future partners.
Besides wedding ceremonies there was the yearly graduating party for Kinanahs graduating from their bachelor training, which could last from 3 to 5 years. Parents brought their eligible daughters to be introduced to the bachelors. That's where 80 percent boys found their brides.
"Here comes father!" Liane announced. The boys filed quickly on either side of the groom. "Now remember boys, proud warriors don't ogle! So keep those eyes straight ahead-Let the girls ogle at us." He ordered the boys before his father came in the room, then they all stood at attention.
Chief Wakaba walked along side the groom, as he was lead to join the bride. Anakin was looking for his bride in a rush of gaudy faces and costumes. He couldn't see her anywhere in the sea of human heads and shoulders.
They came out into the fresh air. It was almost nightfall. The group would ride gaily-decorated kadu while the groom and one of his friends would ride the only famba that stood by the steps. Anakin decided to take Liane as his mulgare(best man)
The whole party ambled towards the gate of the warrior village where they were preceded by a noisy band of musicians and young men bearing lighted torches. Along the way others-guest from neighboring villages heading for the main village-joined the group. Soon it was a long procession of singing and dancing humanity. Children were everywhere, squealing and shouting in delight.
Anakin looked around fascinated. A wide grin plastered on his face.
"Wow! He thought, all this trouble for a padawan!" This was indeed strange for him to be given special treatment. Coming from an order that discouraged any special treatment except the treatment accorded by padawans to their seniors.
Even being the chosen one didn't elicit a special status for him. He was the hero of many campaigns, distinguishing himself as a courageous pilot but back in the temple he was just another padawan and he hadn't thought it odd.
As they neared the Main village, Anakin noticed that not only was the gate decorated with colorful light but the trees all around too shimmered with tiny lamps right up to the lofty tops.
Guards rushed to open the gate, revealing more lights and decorations. Small globs of light hung in the air around them, seemingly tacked to the air. A long line of gaudily dressed young girls on either side of the path showered them with flower petals and chants of welcome.
Anakin tried to pinch himself and flinched at the pain- "This is real."
Once through the gate, the rest of the group fell back while a guard led the famba to a pedestal so that its passengers could get off gracefully. Chief Wakabu was there to receive them, embracing the groom and then his son, in a traditional welcome gesture of the host.
The chief lead the way. They climbed some steps to a raised platform, over looking the village square, it was crowded with people; a boiling and churning sea of bobbing heads and hands as they moved to the lively music.
Anakin wondered how the chief had managed to arrange this banquet on such a short notice. Hundreds of tiny oil lamps lined the gardens and walkways. A huge fountain flowed in the middle throwing a thin cool spray on the guests surrounding it.
"How did all of them know there was a wedding here?" Anakin thought aloud.
"The drums." Liane said. At noon the drummers relay the news from village to village and who ever hears it is invited.
"How will you'll feed them-surely they won't be sent home hungry!"
Lianne laughed. "Nothing lavish-simplicity is our key to a full life. All the chiefs are invited-each one gets a pre-arranged number of animals or game birds and then the warriors roast them on open fires."
Chief Wakabu led him to circle of chairs with regal looking gentlemen seated on it all with square turbans piled on their heads. This was the only time he saw them dressed; Capa men were half naked most of the time wearing only their customary animal skins around their waist.
The women wore long sheets draped around their bodies.
Anakin was led to all the chairs one by one where Chief Wakabu introduced council members, and other village chieftains to him and Anakin was in turn introduced to them, as his son-in-law Anakin Skywalker. Short greetings were exchanged and then onto the next guest.
At last he was led to a high chair set in the middle of the circle. The other boys all stood around him, in at ease position, with their hands locked before them. Chief Wakabu was running the show; there was a lot of ordering around.
Anakin felt the stares of over two dozen old men drilling through him. Somehow he felt they did not like him, so he just hung his head down not daring to stare back at them. He pulled Liane by the sleeves so that he was leaning over and whispered to him.
"Where is the bride he asked, when can I see her."
"Be patient, she is with the women." Lianne answered with a smile.
Presently Wakabu came; he had a small box with him. I present this ring to Anakin Skywalker so that he may present it to my daughter. Anakin was very grateful to the Chief. He just remembered he was getting married, without a ring. At that moment Anakin could have kissed old Wakabu on the cheeks, but he was so awkwardly stiff and rigid. He didn't trust himself to take two steps without falling. So he thought it wise to just sit quite.
It seemed like eternity before the boys behind seemed to stir and whisper among themselves.
"We'll be going soon." Liane announced. The boys were excited too. This was their rare chance to look out for future partners.
Besides wedding ceremonies there was the yearly graduating party for Kinanahs graduating from their bachelor training, which could last from 3 to 5 years. Parents brought their eligible daughters to be introduced to the bachelors. That's where 80 percent boys found their brides.
"Here comes father!" Liane announced. The boys filed quickly on either side of the groom. "Now remember boys, proud warriors don't ogle! So keep those eyes straight ahead-Let the girls ogle at us." He ordered the boys before his father came in the room, then they all stood at attention.
Chief Wakaba walked along side the groom, as he was lead to join the bride. Anakin was looking for his bride in a rush of gaudy faces and costumes. He couldn't see her anywhere in the sea of human heads and shoulders.