Kikuyu Traditional Marriage Ceremony

The Kikuyu culture is a well known cultural group that is predominantly found in the central highlands of Kenya. Customarily, marriage proceedings often began with the man proposing to the woman. After she agrees to be married, a series of events will follow. The bride to be approaches her parents and informs them of her intentions of marrying. The parents then enquire about the man’s background e.g. clan from which he comes from, this is to ensure that there is no cross marriage between family members. The groom also breaks the news to his parents and does the same. After that both parents of the lady and the man meet to negotiate and set a date for the payment of dowry, this is strictly done between elders. On this day the first things to be taken by the groom’s family were a he- goat and she- goat which has not yet given birth. The male and female goats were known as mwate na hareka.

Dowry payment is a series of events namely:-
1. Kumenya mucii - getting to know the brides home.2. Kuhanda ithigi - Literally means planting a branch of a tree3. Kuracia - Actual dowry payment

On the set the bride- to- be  and her relatives do all the cooking for example mukimo cooked with stinging nettle (thafai), chapatti , black beans (njahi) and bunch of bananas (mukano), while on the other side the father and young men relatives roasted some meat while waiting to receive dowry. This is called ruracio , a feast where the groom and his family bring the dowry at the bride –to –be home and show up at about 1pm. On the arrival the groom’s family will find the gate closed. This is a sign to show that they must sing their way in. Then the bride -to -be and her female relatives welcome them in with songs and dances. After settling in and before any eating the bride to be is taken away by her fellow female in-laws and relatives, there she is given some advice meanwhile the groom starts ( kuhanda ithigi) planting a branch of tree which symbolizes that the lady has been booked by the groom. He then starts the payment process together with his parents and elders to the parents of the lady and their elders.

The dowry could be:-1. Goima – fattened ram2. Thenge - He goat – this could be from 99 of them onwards depending on the negotiation made because for example in Kiambu, one has to take 120 goats and 20 cows,                               after that two more goats are slaughtered (kugurania). In this each, meat part had a specified person to take it. 3. Mori – heifer 4. Njohi ya uuki – beer made from honey for the elders as a sign of respect.5. Cows

If the groom didn’t bring all the required dowry negotiated earlier he is expected to remember to finish his payment, failure to do so spells dishonor to that family.

After this the bride- to -be is finally recalled and becomes a bride. They all happily feast and eat together. The bride’s family then gives some items to the bride to carry to their home such as kyondo – weaving basket,  ciihuri-calabash, lesos, nyungo- pot, mukwa –new rope, a blanket and bed sheets for the bride’s mother, handkerchiefs for the sisters and honey for preparing “muratina” (beer).

As the bride leaves with the groom the bride’s parents then wait to do the last process which is itara- getting to see the nest or nestling place of their daughter.

Story Prepared By:
Grace Njoki, Elizabeth Gitau, Eunice Waithira, Beatrice Nyambura,Rachael Njeri, Eddah Njoki, Jane Wanjiru, Pauline Wangari and Victoria Warue
RUARAKA HIGH SCHOOL