How are kikuyu traditional weddings done

The Kikuyu tribe is one of the largest tribes in East Africa, they are located in Kenya, occupying the central part of Kenya in the central province.

Like most of the other Kenyan communities, the Kikuyu’s follow certain cultures and traditions during marriage rites and ceremonies.

The Kikuyu traditional wedding is one of a kind distinguished by the Kikuyu traditions such as dances, attires, and other traditional rituals.

When a man would like to marry a certain woman in the Kikuyu society, he and his kins pay a prompt visit to her father, expressing his wish of marrying his daughter.

This tradition is called the “kuhanda ithigi” which signifies (planting twigs). The intending groom although has to bring some gifts during this visit.

This is simultaneously followed by yet another visit, which is known as the “kumenya mucii” (getting to know the home). The groom’s parents visit the bride’s parents. It is at this stage, they determine the date when the ceremony of “ruracio” (dowry payment) will take place.

Dowry payment is a series of events that takes a lifetime. Dowry payment “Kuracia” includes some steps.

The first one is “Kuunirwo miti” where the groom family is advised on what exactly they should bring as Dowry payment.

The dowry to be paid is however is often determined by the price the bride’s father paid to her mother (bride’s mother).

The next stage is “Kuhanda ithiga” which means the planting of a branch of a tree to symbolise that the lady (bride to be) has officially been booked by the groom.

The following step is the actual dowry payment. This process as stated above usually last a lifetime, however, the groom is expected and mandated to pay a certain fragmentation of it before he can be allowed to marry the bride.

The payment process is usually determined by certain circumstances. In a situation where the bride to be is pregnant, the process is hastened to ensure that the baby is born in a stabilized home.

The dowry payment is in two categories. The “Atumia” items for the women and “Athuri” are items for the men. The items for Athuri compromise of; fattened Ram, He-goat, Sheep, Blankets, Heifer, Goats, Beer made from honey, Water tank.

While the Atumia consists of items such as; Pot, Calabash, Axes, New rope, women wear (nguo cia atumia), Beer for women (njohi ya atumia), fermented porridge (Ushuru wa mukio).

The quantity of each item depends on the clan, region or family, old family members or delegated of the family perform the negotiations for the “Kuracia”.

A feast is held after the negotiations are successfully ended. The traditional Kikuyu wedding is called the “ngurario”.

On the wedding day the groom, his parents and other people accompanying arrive at the bride’s home. But they are not allowed to enter the house.

A marriage ritual known as “kuhura hoti” is performed. The women from the groom’s procession begin singing while they carry various gifts. The women inside the house also sing.

After some time the door is finally opened. Among some communities, an extra amount of money is mandated to be paid for the door to be opened.

Following this is a game where the bridegroom has to recognize and pick his bride among the group of women dressed in the same clothes and veil.

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This entertaining tradition is known as “gucagura muka wake”. If the bridegroom makes a mistake, yet again, he has to pay some money for failing.

After finding his bride he has to cut the goat meat prepared for the ceremony, and share the meat with some of his and the bride’s family members.

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In addition, another traditional procession called “kuria matu” in conducted. The bridegroom gives the bride goat’s ears to eats. This is in turn reciprocated by the bride to the bridegroom.

This echoes and signifies the couple would act of always listening to each other.

In conclusion, if a man cannot finish paying the dowry, his daughter is refused marriage procession until he completes paying what is left of him.

After completing the payment of what he owes as dowry, a ceremony is done where a goat is killed to signifies the completion of the marriage rites.

So, if you’re the right man for that lady in Kenya, run fast to get her.