MAVELA, TEMAKHOLO TIE THE KNOT

The newly-weds Temakholo Mavimbela (Kaelani Kubina) and Mavela Dlamini (Aaron Wahlmuth).

PHONJWANE – An American couple which met on Facebook got married yesterday through the Swazi custom known as ‘kuteka.’

The unique event occurred in Phonjwane, a few kilometres from Siphofaneni.
Aaron Wahlmuth, aged 24, who was named ‘Mavela Dlamini’ when he arrived in Swaziland, traditionally married his girlfriend who is known as Temakholo Mavimbela aged 27.
The wife’s original name is Kaelani Kubina and she is three years older than the husband.

During their stay in Swaziland, the two are being hosted by two different families – the Dlaminis of Phonjwane and Mavimbelas of KaLanga in Siteki. The event was attended by the couple’s host families and their colleagues from the American Peace Corps volunteers (emavolontiya).
The two started dating when they arrived in Swaziland in June 2015.

Just like other people who marry through this custom, the two underwent all the stages that complete the custom.
The event started at 3am, when the bride went to the kraal accompanied by her colleagues and family members.

There she performed the popular kumekeza (continuous crying) until sunrise.  The process of wailing signifies the fact that the wife is entering a stage in her life where there is a lot of hardship.  Despite the chilly early morning weather, she wore only sidvwaba (traditional skirt) made of cowhide. She also carried a symbolic spear.
Those with her in the kraal sang traditional songs that befitted the custom until after 6am, when the group went into a forest where the bride took a bath and awaited a message from her in-laws, who were expected to officially welcome her into her ‘new home.’

While they awaited the message, inviting them over, they were served with food as breakfast and the bride was fitted with what is known as sicholo (a Swazi traditional way of doing hair) in the Swazi setting. However, that service had to be attempted by three people as each of them failed due to the texture of the bride’s hair. She was then covered with a blanket by the groom’s aunt.

After that, the group, accompanied the bride, was then invited over and they had to wait by the gate until an indication to walk in was made.
As Temakholo made her way into the Dlamini homestead, the groom emerged, doing the traditional victory dance known as ‘kugiya’ as he pranced towards his beautiful wife. Then came the smearing of ‘lubovu’ (red ochre) on the bride’s face.

In turn, Temakholo did the same to her ‘new son’ who according to the Swazi tradition is called `Umntfwana welubovu’.
Culturally, the family chooses one son belonging to the family and gives him to the bride as a gift. This is a way to test if the new wife will be able to take care of children. After being dressed with ‘sidziya’, (wrap-around dress), the bride had to run towards the gate.  At that moment, one of the groom’s family members instructed her to return, while shouting the type and colours of the cow that would be offered to indicate that she was officially a wife (insulamnyembeti).
That marked the end of the ceremony, after which the bride was taken to a room where she was also presented with a goat.

An excited Mavela explained why they chose to get married traditionally.
“We met on Facebook through our group page but we didn’t talk until we arrived in Swaziland,” he said.
“A week was enough for me to win her heart. We decided to marry through the traditional way because we respect and love Swazi culture. Both of us are also close to our Swazi families. So, we felt we should create a platform where our local families can be part of this ceremony as we will have a white wedding in America.” 

The lovebirds will be returning to America in October this year.
Mavela said their families were aware of the decision they took and could not wait for the white wedding when they returned home.
Kaelani, the wife, is involved in HIV/ AIDS awareness campaigns in the country, among other projects.

The groom, meanwhile, works with rural schools, where he helps pupils with English lessons.
The newly-married woman said she loved the fact that Mavela had a sense of humour.
He always makes her laugh and is adventurous.

“I told my parents about this a month ago and they are okay with it. They just can’t wait for us to return home to have our white wedding.”
She also said she was currently staying at KaLanga at Siteki as she previously stayed at Mbutfu.

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