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Expressing your love to anyone is hard, however, doing so without saying a single word in front of over 200 friends and family members is perhaps a herculean for any man.
It was, therefore, beautiful and captivating to watch Charles Gichuhi, 33, wed his bride Ann Wambui,22, without uttering a word. Both were born with a hearing and speech impairment.
Their wedding ceremony, which was held at Nyamachaki PCEA Church Hall in Nyeri Town, was attended by guests from all over the country.
During the ceremony Gichuhi and his groomsmen each walked into the church dancing to the beats of a drum, leaving many in awe as to how they were able to dance to a rhythm they could not hear. While his bride and her brides maids also swayed to the melodies of the drum with elegant rhythmic movements.
“They may be deaf but they can feel the vibrations. They don’t need to hear the music to enjoy it,” explained best maid and sign language interpreter Elizabeth Wambui.
The most unusual part of the wedding of was the exchanging of vows which involved at least four sign language interpreters.
Bride, groom and pastor were each assigned an interpreter while the two other interpreters communicated the proceedings of the wedding to the congregation, which was predominantly made up of deaf guests.
In complete silence throughout the ceremony Gichuhi signed his vows as he expressed his love to Wambui while an interpreter voiced his actions to the congregation.
Wambui too expressed her devotion to her new husband in sign language and as they exchanged rings, there was no need for words as the room erupted in joyous celebration.
Choirs of various deaf churches in the country including, Nairobi, Machakos, Embu, and Thika each danced and paid tribute to the couple as interpreters communicated to those who did not understand the language.
Reverend John Calvin who presided over the ceremony said love is universal and actions speak louder than words in expressing our feelings.
- Lydiah Nyawira
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