NORFOLK
No wedding jitters here. At least not for Deng Awuou, who beamed as he described his love for Rabecca Deng and their hope to be recognized as husband and wife in their adopted homeland.
The couple, who married Saturday at the Church of the Ascension, are among the thousands of Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan who escaped the African nation and sought refuge in the United States.
Their wedding Saturday, Awuou said, affirmed the traditional marriage ceremony celebrated last year by their families in Sudan. It also gave a nod to their U.S. citizenship, which they attained last year.
"We have to do what Americans do," Awuou said moments before heading into the sanctuary. "We are American."
Nearly 150 gathered to witness the wedding, which blended customs from the couple's tribe with Episcopalian rites. The crowd included dozens of fellow Sudanese, who visited from across the country.
For many, it was the first time in years they had reunited with friends who also fled Africa. Mathiang Gutnyin lived for nine years with Awuou in a Kenyan refugee camp. Awuou came to the United States in 2001, and Gutnyin followed soon afterward.
Gutnyin drove from High Point, N.C., for the wedding and busied himself snapping photos of the bride and groom.
"It's a great joy," he said. "I was so happy to come to see them and be part of the important day."
About 40 Lost Boys live in the Norfolk area, according to Julie Hill, director of Outreach Africa: Lost Boys Fund. Her group helps support them as well as Sudanese living in a Kenyan refugee camp. A bout 5,000 Lost Boys live in the United States, she said.
"They're the total hope for the future of southern Sudan," she said.
Awuou, who works full-time at a bank and is studying at Old Dominion University toward a degree in finance and international business, said he hopes to return to his native country.
For now, though, the newlyweds live in a Norfolk apartment with their 9 -month-old son, Ader. Deng, who has earned an associate's degree, is looking for work as a medical assistant.
"We're trying to capture everything in this country by working and studying, then go back to my country,"
Awuou said. "Sudan needs a variety of people to help to make it a great country."
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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Cows in Sudan
To the poster inquiring about the cow - according to my research, in (Southern) Sudan, a cow is a measure of the woman's worth in terms of the dowry...
*womenforwomen.org/sudan*
Re Congrats
Actually you are you are correct...traditionally. But on the other hand, I am not even for sure that is a steadfast rule legally. I have heard of instances in marriages where a bride has kept her maiden name. As to the comment... I am not going to bother explaining myself..but the comment & (the title)...is written exactly as I intended..lol
A cow????
Okay, great story, but what's up with the cow in the background of the second picture of the article. Is the cow a part of Sudanese wedding traditions? I know in India its sacred. Maybe a wedding gift? Hmmmm...just wondering.
congrats
Congratulations go out to this wonderful couple. But, correct me if I'm wrong contractorva, it is the woman who takes the last name of the man in marriage here in the united states and not as you previously stated.
Congratulations!!!
This is a great story about 2 LEGAL immigrants who came here for a better life, became citizens and are working towards the American dream with education and hard work. God bless both of you and I wish you both continued success and happiness!
http://limobarbie.blogspot.com/
The true name!
Thank you for acknowledging that both boys and girls fled Sudan. So many times I hear about The Lost Boys of Sudan and there are woman (who were girls then) who had to flee also. I feel like the women tend to get slighted, as if it was only boys that fled. Thank you for saying The Lost Boys and Girls! Beautiful story!
Teasing American Style..
"Rabecca Deng married Deng Awuou on Saturday." Someone should tell Deng Awuou that in USA the husband takes the last name of the bride.....Anyway....Welcome to the USA & Congratulations!