To the Korr

For those of you who I have not made aware, the past weekend has been spent in Korr, an area 2.5-3 hours east of Kurungu. 

The opportunity to go to Korr sprouted from the encouragement of the Swanepoel's as Grant was heading down to Korr for a Pastor's conference. So off we went! 

I was able to stay in the short-termer's home and from there volunteered alongside some of the most amazing woman at a coinciding conference, Spiritual Emphasis Weekend, that was taking place at the same time as the pastor's conference. 

What a blessing it was to so easily join the conference for the secondary students (grades 9-12). Beyond just sitting in on the sessions and providing support for those in leadership, I was also able to take a hands-on leadership role and lead a discussion group after a message and also be placed on a panel to share what wisdom I had on particular topics that were asked about. 

Yet, beyond volunteering at the Spiritual Emphasis Conference, I was able to also visit a Rendille Gob (village). One of the night guards of the short-termer house, Esim Basale, welcomed us into his home, served us chai, gave me a Rendille name, played music, and danced with us. Oh what fun it was! And because of the help of a translator, Peter, who teaches nursery school for the young Rendille children in his Gob, we were able to converse too! 

My name you ask, what was it? Oh! :D It was Subdio, which means Saturday. The Rendille tend to name their children based on events of the day or the day itself. So you could say I was born a Rendille on Saturday! 

Walking back from the Rendille Gob

There were so many significant events that happened that weekend, but another unique one that I'll share with you was having the opportunity to attend a Rendille wedding, the morning of our departure. We were up before the crack of dawn, in which the ceremonies usually take place around then (however, this one was a bit later). 

Picture this with me...

Alyssa, Hannah, me, Sarah, Christina - the morning of the wedding

The sound of warriors singing their repetitive melodies as they come slowly walking towards the mother's gob where the bride is waiting. They bring 2 goats - one as a gift to the family and the other to be slaughtered. 

The warriors are met near the mother's home and two woman approach the groom and his best-man they pour milk on their heels and remove their sandals (to which the men will walk a week without footwear). They women take one of the goats and bring it inside the gob. The men then proceed to bring the other goat and (to save the details) slaughter it. The blood is collected and then mixed with milk, to which is later presented to the groom to drink. 

After the goat is skinned and the fatty portion(s) of the body is separated it is then taken by the groom and the best-man into the gob where they will present it to the bride. If the bride accepts the fat the wedding is official, if the fat is refused the wedding is called-off. But, you can breath a sigh of relief, because she accepted his gift! 

Two cuties!

Well... :) A little piece of northern Kenya culture for you.