My host cousin, Ruben, is going to be getting married in March. On Friday evening, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the formal engagement ceremony. In Peru, it is traditional for both the family of the bride and the groom to gather to discuss the prospect of marriage, to make a formal agreement, dine together and dance together.
We went to the home of Ruben's fiance, Karina. Because neither he, nor his fiance have living parents, my host parents acted as his, and an aunt and uncle acted as hers. Everyone formed a circle and my host father address her family and uncle in particular and said that he thought highly of their relationship and of Karina and asked that Ruben be able to have her hand in marriage. Then the uncle addressed this family and said he thought Ruben was a respectable and suitable partner.
Ruben then addressed Karina and gave her an engagement ring. There were kisses all around. Afterwards, we ate rice (of course) and they played Cumbia music and everyone danced until 2 am. I kind of figured it out...but I've decided Latin Dancing is kind of difficult. It was fun.
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