No kisses, no hugs: How Bunia weddings are changing as Ebola spreads

Описание: (7 Jun 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bunia, DR Congo – 06 June 2026
1. Bride and groom performing wedding ritual
2. Newly wed couple leaving church
3. SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Solange Hahati, the bride:
"We invited 300 people to our wedding, but when we arrived at the church, they (the church authorities) only allowed 50 people in. We realized this was a problem, and it was really difficult for us because we wanted to celebrate our wedding with all our friends."
4. Various of entry ritual for church officials to officiate wedding
5. Multiple couples performing wedding ritual at church
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Aimé Lokanabego, Father, Bunia Church:
"There are certain sacraments (events) that will be postponed, particularly as there is a risk of infection (with the Ebola virus). (These events include) Confirmation, Baptism and Ordination, among others, which are suspended until further notice."
7. Mid of church choir
STORYLINE:
Despite the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's city of Bunia, some families were determined to go ahead with their relatives’ weddings.

However, the local authorities and the church imposed certain measures that had to be followed, even though not everyone was happy about it.

Solange Hahati, a bride, said that they had invited 300 people to her wedding, but when they arrived at the church, the church authorities allowed only 50 people to enter.

"We realized this was a problem, and it was really difficult for us because we wanted to celebrate our wedding with all our friends," she said.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been facing a new Ebola outbreak since last May.

Congolese authorities, as of Thursday, have confirmed 452 cases with 82 deaths in total.

Seventy-one new cases were confirmed within 24 hours, which the authorities said is a sign of “active community transmission”.

The current outbreak in Congo is suspected to have infected over 1,000 people.

The number of confirmed cases is much lower because many suspected victims succumb to their symptoms outside hospitals and without firm proof they had Ebola.

To minimize the risk of infection, wedding organizers, local authorities and religious leaders have decided to cancel certain activities that traditionally take place during these social gatherings.

For its part, the Church has suspended activities such as confirmation, baptism and ordinations.


===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...