SIGNATURE TRADITIONS
Kikuyu marriage traditions D
uring the ancient times, prospective couples used to meet and court during climatic seasonal activities such as during planting or harvesting times. Once a man met a prospective woman, he declared his intent. This would be followed by arrangements on a date where the groom visits the bride’s home. In modern times, the first visit is attended by the grooms and his age mates or friends, which is then followed by ‘Kuhanda Ithigi’.
Kuha
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‘Guuka Kuunirwo miti’
Ithig
i
This is th e a sp ear o equivale utsid n Ithig i is a e a m t to how p thou a gh th lant tha nyatta the Maa t t s ever e lastin dry per never dr o mark t ais plant heir ed ied a iods g lov te . It w n e. as s d would rritory. This y m s v ur bolic for t isit is m for vive or h this e comm e introd en uc vis at th it, ther cement tory an e we d e en re m of the n was a p d of decla eg in th re r such e their in e functio imal disc otiation amble s. Du u tere as liv n s , s t io he g ring st by take ns; h esto roo p o c g sche lace. At k. No fo iving so m’s par wever, m r t dule t m y e gif al dis d to he end t tok would cu of discu ss d the day ssions w en owry ,ad ate w ould . ould be
O
n this day, the groom’s family was told the requirements that they needed to fulfill before the bride’s family consents to their daughter being married off to the groom’s family. A lot of discussions take place regarding the dowry items and their corresponding values. If the groom’s family had come prepared, they would give whatever they had to the custodian of the bride’s family/clan. At this juncture, the groom’s family will acknowledge the requirements stipulated by the bride’s clan. Another will then be scheduled where the groom’s family will come to pay the dowry based on all what had been requested. In this day, they will also formally request for a ‘ngurario’.
Ngurario
N
gurario is kikuyu equivalent for wedding. Once the family has complied, they arrange for another date for the occasion called ‘ngurario’. This ceremony was meant to bind two families together using a joyful combination of song, dance and romantic comedy fueled of course by plenty to eat and drink. Due to the current socio economic dynamics, the 4 events can be condensed into 2 or 3 days but not less than 2. For example you can’t get to know the family, pay dowry and ngurario on the same day. However, you can know the family and get to be notified on dowry requirements on the same day. Then on the second day, pay dowry and have ngurario on the same day with proper arrangements in place on the exemptions. The steps above were relevant and were meant to protect and prevent the groom from seeing the bride as a commodity to be bought out. During the ngurario, a ceremony known as ‘gutinia kiande’ would take place. ‘gutinia kiande’ is symbolic ceremony for binding the couple and was assumed that after the ceremony, the woman would never leave her matrimonial home and that her parents would never accept her back.
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