×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

Jomo’s wife will cost the Kenyatta family 99 goats

County_Nairobi
 Jomo holding hands with his fiance Fiona

A woman’s assent to a man’s request for a hand in marriage marks the beginning of a rigorous traditional rite in the Kikuyu community.

Before the man’s people set out to meet their would-be in-laws a thorough search of the girl‘s background to establish the clan and family she hails from is conducted secretly.

For instance those from the dreaded Ethaga (also called the Ambura) clan, cursed or families with witches, cases of insanity or bizarre illness are shunned.

It is after background check that the process to formalise the affair kicks-off. The man is accompanied by his extended family and clansmen to his suitor‘s family to express his desire to marry their daughter.

Kikuyu Council of Elders Chairman Wachira Kiago says a man‘s family and clan holds a major role in the Kikuyu traditional nuptial and their presence in such undertakings is vital.

“Even if our young men hunt and propose to girls of their choice, their kindred and clan people have a sway in determining continuity of such affair. We loosely say relatives and clan get our sons wives,” says Kiago.

In the first official engagement the man‘s people take Njohi ya njurio (liquor for asking a hand in marriage), the visitors are said to ‘plant a twig’ that implies they have earmarked the girl for their son.

The ritual is followed with an offering of male and female sheep to the girl’s family. In most cases, it is accompanied with monetary gifts and when the girl‘s family accept it, the girl is symbolically betrothed and the dowry negotiations and marriage arrangements kicks-off, officially.

“At this point, the girl’s family declare their dowry demands which is counted as mirongo (in tens) and not in magana (hundreds). After an agreement is reached, preparations for a wedding can begin,” says Kiago.

Initially, Ngurario which is Kikuyu traditional wedding that entails feasting and a man giving his new wife a piece of roasted goat limb signifies everlasting union followed after partial payment of dowry but this rite has largely been replaced by modern church weddings.

After partial payment of the dowry, which may be followed by a wedding, the man is bequeathed the girl to start a family but continue paying it over a time.

In traditional Kikuyu culture, the dowry process did not treat the rich or respectable members of the community differently. The ritual applies uniformly and it is capped at 99 goats, sheep or cattle. Nowadays this herd is converted into money at an agreed exchange rate that the girl’s clan propose per each animal. Some families ask for other items instead of money.

Mzee Kiago adds that capping dowry ensures the poor have a chance to marry even from the rich and afford to hold the traditions. And when the couple separates, the man’s clan can claim refund of dowry if it was partially submitted. But if fully paid, the girl’s clan cannot surrender it and considers their daughter still married to their son-in-law devoid of circumstances.

“At this point they are permanently joined and even if they separate the two clans still deem them a couple,”says Kiago.

The Kikuyu traditions also proclaims Ruracio rutithiraga (dowry payment never ends). This means the two families keep exchanging gifts, visits, assistance and feasts as long the union stands. Diana Wanjiku, 79 says this way none of the families feel as if the ritual is a business deal.

Related Topics


.

Popular this week

.

Latest Articles