WITNESS-Getting married in Somalia's war zone

[Demure]

WITNESS-Getting married in Somalia's war zone

By Guled Mohamed

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Sunday, February 04, 2007


MOGADISHU, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The war in Somalia ruined my first attempt to marry Anisa on New Year's Eve.

I had planned to throw a splendid party in the central town of Baidoa, my young bride's hometown, then entertain friends in the capital Mogadishu, where I live.

But at the eleventh hour, I was forced to cancel the nuptials when Ethiopian and Somali government forces in Baidoa began their long-expected war with Islamists in Mogadishu.

"My son, I think we should postpone the marriage," my mother-in-law called from Baidoa to tell me.

I fell silent digesting the news, balancing the twin pulls of journalism and the heart.

"This war will continue. I don't think you and Anisa can travel to Baidoa in time before the wedding," she continued. "We should set another date after the war is over."

She was right. Fighting raged for days near Baidoa, then spread towards Mogadishu as the Islamists were beaten back.

The battles were the worst in Somalia for decades. Thousands of people were killed, many left for dead on the road between Mogadishu and Baidoa where my marriage party would have travelled.

At one point, with many foreseeing a bloodbath and street fighting in Mogadishu, I thought about leaving Somalia for my own safety. But Anisa has no passport, so I had to stay.

Then, two weeks after the open warfare began, the Islamist fighters, taken by surprise by Ethiopia's aerial firepower and sensing defeat, melted out of Mogadishu without a stand.

Better late than never, the wedding was back on.

CAMEL MILK AND MORTARS

I married Anisa on Jan. 18 at her family home in Baidoa. Those in attendance included militiamen with rifles whom I had hired as bodyguards in the still tense atmosphere.

The religious ceremony where I had to shake a Sheikh's hand and mumble prayers after him to be lawfully wedded took place in the morning in a well-decorated room in my fiancee's house.

Once proclaimed man and wife, elders offered me a cold glass of camel milk. They said it would help relieve the stress of trying to pull off this wedding.

I drank the milk in two gulps.

Local women applauded and ululated.

The wedding reception was held in the evening at a restaurant in central Baidoa where guests were served drinks and cookies amid tables decorated with flowers.

Anisa wore a black dress with a feather collar that went well with her silver ear rings and necklace. I was in a black Armani suit and light blue Italian shirt.

The war seemed a distant rumble. Only the absence of my family and friends from Kenya who could not attend because of the insecurity was a reminder of Somalia's troubles.

Two days later, we drove back to Mogadishu for our honeymoon. But to be honest, since then I have rarely had a serene night with my wife.

Anarchy is slowly crippling Mogadishu again. Day and night, ambushes by Islamist remnants against the Ethiopian army and Somali government have become almost a ritual.

Mortars have hit police stations and even the presidential palace. Gunmen open fire in broad daylight. And dead bodies appear in the street with daylight.

Sometimes in the middle of the night, Anisa and I are woken by explosions, rocket fire and gunfights.

Understandably, she is complaining.

She cannot go out and visit relatives for fear of being caught up in the attacks, so she is forced to stay indoors.

But for me, duty calls.

I have cut short my honeymoon to cover the news, torn once again between my work and staying close to my sweetheart.

Source: Reuters, Feb 04, 2007



http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/2007/feb/w ... _zone.aspx

[Demure]

I thought the Reuter writer was an old man. But good to see as always life goes on in Somalia no matter what.

[hometown-hottie]

DAMNNNNNNN! Afwaaynaa naagtu. Balaayo afka kula kalaqaadey

[Advocatar]

your so predictable demure.......

by the way the gurl is leeysaan eelaay and the guy is something moodulood correct me if I'm wrong.

[Demure]

Lol. How am I predictable? and Sorry can't help you here I don't know what their qabiils are...

Try Eyes or A/W.

[Seoma [Crawler2]]

good to know life goes on. what's with black dress isnt wedding?

[Demure]

Mowliid, I don't think black/or white has any meaninng for Somalis. I think it's kind of cute and creative considering the limited fashion glamour there.

[Seoma [Crawler2]]

i agree. doesnt matter the colour of dress or the fashion. they look happy couple.

you know in our minds black is symbol of graveness, that is all what i though about.

[Advocatar]

I was just joking, I have no idea what these people are but I was reading it on Hiiraan online and then few seconds later boooom, it's on somalinet. thank you very much.

[kambuli]

Gabadhaasi maaha laysaan... Haddii ay tahayna cid kalaa ku walaaqan.... Gabdhaha laysaanta iyo hadamada waa gabdhaha Somalia ugu qurxoon...

[PragmaticGal]

How catty kambuli.

[Demure]

Lol@ Advo... I guess you know me so well, I like happy ending stories that have an Indian flare to it.