THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CULTURE OF KIKUYU

The Kikuyu are one of Kenya’s biggest ethnic groups, and their traditional way of getting married is rich and interesting.
In the Kikuyu society, marriage is a holy bond between two families, not just between two people. The bride price, or dowry, is a gift from the groom’s family to the girl’s family. This is one of the steps in getting married. This is seen as a way to make up to the family of the bride for losing their daughter, who will now be a part of the family of the husband.

Once the dowry is paid, the couple is considered engaged, and there are a number of traditions and customs that happen before the wedding. There may be a typical engagement ritual where the pair exchanges gifts and the bride is publicly welcomed into the groom’s family, as well as a pre-wedding ceremony where the bride wears traditional jewelry and clothing.
On the wedding day, the couple is usually married in a traditional service that includes exchanging vows and drinking a special drink made from honey and flowers. After the service, there is usually a big party with lots of food, music, and dancing.

The role of the leaders in the society is an interesting part of the way Kikuyu people get married. These well-known people in the community play a big part in giving advice to the couple and their families during the whole process of getting married. They are often asked to settle disagreements or give advice when things go wrong.

Overall, the Kikuyu people’s traditional way of getting married is a beautiful and complicated system that shows how important family and community are in Kenya.