Monday, 21 January 2013

Kikuyu traditions prior to the wedding

  1. kumenya mucii-getting to know the bride’s home
  2. kuhanda ithigi -literally means planting a branch of a tree; it begins with a  process known as ‘kuunirwo miti’, that is, the groom's family being informed what they are supposed to bring as dowry payment for the bride.
  3.  kuracia : actual dowry payment- process lasts a lifetime.
  4. Itara 
Dowry or bride price constitutes the following:

Athuri (items for men)
  • Goima (fattened ram)
  • Thenge (he goat)
  • Ng’ondu (sheep)
  • Kaburi
  • Blankets
  • Mori (heifer)
  • Mburi cia mirongo (goats – these are counted in tens)
  • Maaha-indo cia muthuri(assorted items for bride’s father)
  • Itangi ria mai (water tank)
Atumia (Items for women)
  • Nyungu (pot)
  • Ciihuri (calabashes)
  • Ithanwa (axe)
  • Mukwa (new rope)
  • Nguo cia atumia (womenwear)
  • Lesos
  • Soda cia atumia
  • Ushuru wa mukio (fermented porridge)
The quantity for each of the items varies with the clans and communities and also regions.
 

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