Balulubela!

Bechuanaland's open-air Kgotla (Parliament) was not in session, but a quorum of tribal representatives was lounging in the sun when the tribe's Chief-designate arrived, arm in arm with his new wife. Up jumped the tribesmen and squarely faced the young bride, the former Ruth Williams, a London typist. "Balulubela!" shouted the tribesmen.

The bride's answer to the traditional Bamangwato tribal welcoming cry was not recorded, but she indicated graciously that any friends of her husband's were of course friends of hers.

Chief-designate Seretse Khama, who had married Miss Williams against strenuous opposition from his family and the British authorities (TIME, July 11), cheerfully conducted his wife to her home, just being finished at Serowe, the mud-hut capital of Bechuanaland (pronounced Betcher Wanna Land). The home would be a three-room bungalow with a tin corrugated roof. Ruth's arrival caused considerable commotion among the tribe (local traders were doing a brisk business in gaily colored prints, since the tribeswomen wished to live and dress up to the occasion). Actually, it may be months before Seretse's 100,000 tribesmen know whether or not they will have a white queen: the British government is holding an inquiry to determine whether or not Seretse had been legally chosen chief.

While her husband's status was still indefinite, Ruth maintained a dignified silence. Explained one elder tribal statesman who had paid a call: "The queen will not speak to us yet. We are waiting for her command. But word has come to us that she is delighted with her new country."

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