Gomesi Photo Shoot

Recently, the Musana artisans have been designing jewelry to match their gomesis, or the traditional dresses Ugandan women wear to special events, like weddings.

Last Wednesday, they finished the jewelry and we had a fabulous fashion shoot at the workshop. We'll put the shots in a pamphlet to be circulated locally to advertise Musana jewelry. We expect US crowds to be a bit less interested in gomesi accessories.

Susan, one of the women, brought in gomesis for us - the interns. The gomesis looked pretty great/hilarious on the other ladies, but mildly apalling on myself. I maintain that my gomesi resembles the invisibility cloak from the Harry Potter movies (omgosh there's a Harry Potter wiki?!), only it unfortunately didn't make me invisible.

Here are  highlights of seven of the ten artisans modeling their gomesis and matching jewelry. Sadly, three of women could not be there because of medical emergencies. (Sidenote: medical emergencies are way too frequent here. It's awful.) Anyways!

Florence

Immaculate

Susan

Mama Christine

Eve, who doesn't have her ears pierced. She
put the earrings in her braids. Funny lady.

Cissy

Betty

And some awesome shots (of mostly Eve and Florence, class clowns):

Today, if you walk around Kampala, the capital city, you won't likely see young women sporting gomesis. They wear skinny jeans, Western clothes, etc. Even in Lugazi, it's mostly older women who wear them. However, apparently Alicia Keys absolutely rocks a gomesi.

Still, as muzungus (white people or foreigners) learning about Ugandan culture, we kind of have to wear them because a) it's respectful, and b) it makes the Ugandans proud, and c) it also makes Ugandans laugh. 

Next week, I get to wear one ALL DAY for the wedding of the Musana security guard, Joseph. I really hope I don't resemble an old moth this time.