Jika Ma Jika, Cake And Family

When I look at this picture, I once again realize how lucky I am. Not only am I part of the badass Phokungwane family of Metz Village, but I also got to share my big day with June, Virginia, Keri, Nick, John, Mary, Christy, Christy, and Zana... my cousin and some of the volunteers who make up my South African family. This picture shows love.
Keri and June dancing with the band!
Part two was the cake cutting, dancing, and a toasting time with some champagne that was presented to me when I was being escorted out of the yard for my costume change.
After a huge meal of traditional food, everyone at the VIP table was led out of the yard and over to the house across the street so we could change. My second outfit was actually the "uniform" of the party. MmaDiapo had made a skirt for me and I matched about 30 other women who had the same skirt made for them (by MmaDiapo... WHAT?!!!!?). We all changed and then danced while being escorted by the band back to MmaDiapo's yard and the big tent.
All those Phokungwanes! Here I am with all the Phokungwane family members who showed up for the day! Some came from far to celebrate.
Mmapula and the MC for the day, Collins. He was quite entertaining... give the guy a mike and he can talk. Since he double booked himself for the day (there was a mayoral celebration happening just down the road), he wasn't able to fully be MC at my party until it was time for cake cutting, dancing and choosing my Mr. Party.
At one point, Collins, wanted the Americans to show everyone how they danced... I felt this was a good time to bust out some old favorites, The Running Man and The Cabbage Patch. When I was really gettin' down, MmaDiapo ran up and threw 10 rand at my feet. Yeah!
If you have to have a Mr. Party... and I didn't think I had to have one... you're lucky if you get Mogale. When it looked like I couldn't go on as a single Mrs. Party, he volunteered himself and went through the whole process of cake cutting and all with me. Yes... it really was like a wedding.
June, Rejoice, and Mmapula. 'Nuf said.
Here are the cousins! (Motswala/Mokogotse)MmaDiapo treated us both to traditional skirts.
Last Winter (a year ago), MmaDiapo hosted 3 Eskom (the national electricity company) workers for a week while they were trying to "electrify" a few homes in this area. Every night, I sat around the fire in the yard with Sheriff, Alphius, and Ellen. They're all pretty awesome people, hard workers, and good conversationalists. When they heard about the party from MmaDiapo, they drove down from Nkowankowa, the township where the live that's 40 minutes away, to celebrate with us! MmaDiapo and I posed with them for a photo and some other guests wanted to get in on the fun... check out the guy in front... quite a poser!
Here are the ladies who were responsible for the traditional beer. They worked for days to make a big enough batch for the party... and I'm here to tell you they were quite successful. According to tradition, only the older people and men are allowed to drink traditional beer. After most guests had left June and I snuck in the shed to try some... I only got to take a sip before people came in to see what we were up to. It tasted like beer with an old shoe thrown in. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take too much to get you drunk.
After a really packed day of celebrating and hanging out with good people, we all fell asleep to a steady rain against the tin roof. A day for Mmapula, Mother of the Rain, and the rain comes? That's pretty special.