1. Marriage Arrangements.
The common thread in Ankole marriage just like many traditional marriages in Africa is to create closeness to the bridal family. This is done by a third party called ‘kateraruume’, which means someone who will remove the dew from the path.
Even when a couple has stayed together (co habiting), the go between (third party) is key in initiating marriage negotiations.
The go between is a highly respected person representing the grooms interests and is charged with facing the bride’s family and ensuring that the bride’s family is willing to accept the grooms family to formally discuss the marriage.
When the proposal has been accepted, the man’s family approaches the girls family with the third party(kateraruume) leading them there. At the brides home, the go between knocks at the gate and is invited in with the grooms entourage after some teasing and this time the entourage usually comes with some beer.
