Mbengwi,
Cameroon—The conference hall of the Bamenda II council was
almost filled to the brim with family and friends who had banded to witness an
époque-changing event in the lives of Christabel and Elvis Ndansi last Saturday
April 2, 2016.
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| '....,take this ring as a sign of my love for you,' Chris tells Elvis |
Then at a little over 20minutes behind schedule, a
black Pathfinder jeep leading a long convoy cruised into the council court.
Onboard was the national youth president of the NUDP party, Elvis Ndansi whose
outfit of the day spoke volumes.
A couple of minutes later, a well decorated red
Toyota jeep drove into the council vicinity. Saluted by shouts of joy from
family, friends and other well-wishers, Christabel Kah alighted to join Elvis
Ndansi in the hall.
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| Ndansi carries "his burden" |
And that was the beginning of Chris & Elvis’s
journey into a new world; that of a couple!
After having counseled the couple-to-be, the
officiating mayor asked, “…polygamy or monogamy?” then the groom smiled, looked
at the bride loving and sublimely answered, “monogamy”
In a declaration that was followed by a thunderous
round of applause, the bride said “I, Kah Christabel Tamufor take thee, Ndansi
Elvis Nukam, to be my lawfully wedded husband…, take this ring as a sign of my
love for you.”
The marriage rituals then culminated in the
statement by the presiding mayor; “I therefore declare you husband and wife.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ndansi.”
A photo session and a reception at Ayaba Hotel put
an end to first part of the wedding and paved the way for ‘the real thing’ that
took place in Ngyen Mbo, Mbengwi.
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| Ndansi to Chris: "take this ring as a sign of my love for you" |
Though most of the discussions between the bride and
groom’s families were behind closed doors, highly sought-after radio talk show
host, Jator Richard Tonga of Radio Hot Cocoa Bamenda and The Guardian Post’s
Yaounde city report, cum staff delegate, Mua Patrick who co-emceed the traditional
wedding served guests with the same expertise they are reputed for.
The head of the bride’s family will then come and
announce the end of their in camera session at a time the groom was ‘declared
missing.’
With a cup of wine in hand and dancing to the tune
of a well selected traditional music, Christabel who was accompanied launched a
search and finally found Elvis to whom she handed the cup of wine after sipping….
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| Mr. and Mrs. Ndansi minutes after the signing their marriage |
Chris & Elvis’s guests were later thrilled to a
live performance by several artistes amongst who were Ateh Bazor, Kibungla
Siprano, Bob Gala Didier, Bob Ben etc.
One of the artistes (whose name I will not dare mention)
almost forgot his own lyrics as the bride and groom joined him on stage with
bank notes.
Happy Matrimony!
