Capleton’s flag man marries Facebook girlfriend

Inna De Yard, the garden-like oasis in St Andrew Park was the venue of choice for the wedding of Fyah Stone, the much-loved, flag-waving Rastaman from Capleton's David House and his overseas-based fiancee, Francesca Abrahams.

Capleton was unavoidably absent, but reggae and Rasta royalty were still 'inna di yaad'. It was elder statesman Earl 'Chinna' Smith, also known as Earl Flute and Melchezidek the High Priest, who secured the wedding rings until it was time to solemnly hand them over to Priest Joel of the Boboshanti Order. It was a task that the internationally acclaimed guitarist took seriously, and towards the end of the festive ceremony, he had some searching questions for the newly married Fyah Stone.

"This wedding has taken place today at my place, and I would like to know, what are your plans to make this last?" Chinna stated, as he quizzed Fyah Stone on the values needed to ensure a long and happy relationship. A slightly nervous Fyah Stone told all present that "this is love". He had earlier 'proved' his love with a kiss that would surely make the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest kiss at a Rasta wedding.

NO FAIRYTALE WEDDING

In the secular world, this event would, perhaps, be described as a 'fairy-tale wedding', but this was not a tale. The couple met over Facebook and have been corresponding via video calls and text messages for close to two years. They finally met in person last Tuesday when Abrahams and her niece arrived in Jamaica on Fyah Stone's 41st birthday for the wedding. They fell in love all over again.

In true African tradition, the older women were asked to have a talk with the bride to hear why she wanted to join this man in holy matrimony and to offer their sage advice.

A group of no-nonsense women, including the chief wedding planner, Claudette Kemp, along with Sis Nana EQ and Miriam Simone, spoke to Abrahams, who was waiting in an air-conditioned vehicle. The questions were tough and included:

"Why did you come all the way from the US to marry Bobo [as Fyah Stone is known]?"; "With the age difference and you being older than him, what are your expectations?" and "Is this really love?"

"I love him, and only when Jah takes me from this Earth will we be parted," Abrahams told them. Satisfied, the women wished her the best. Celebrated original juice bar man Harry Joseph then walked her down the aisle to Here Comes the Bride played by maestro Chris McDonald.

An impromptu concert had started before the ceremony, and this continued at intervals during the ceremony and for a long while after. DiMario McDowell, Isha Bel, and Miriam Simone and at one point even Chinna himself blended their voices in total harmony, belting out love songs such as A Ribbon in the Sky, ( You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, When We Get Married, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours.