Marriage in Kenya cultures and traditions
Marriage is one of the most joyous occasions in a community. Every ethnic group in Kenya has long-standing marriage traditions that are still practiced today. The payment of dowry, or bride price, is central to marriage rituals. Even if the couple plans to marry in a Christian church, proper procedure must be followed beforehand. In many Kenyan tribes, when two young people decide to marry, their parents and elders immediately intervene. In most cases, the groom's family will pay a visit to the bride's family to announce their intention to marry from that home, as well as parade the prospective groom.
If they are accepted, they will return for dowry, which is usually a colorful ceremony with relatives, friends, and delicacies served. The negotiations are reserved for elders, and neither the groom nor the bride are permitted to enter the room. Ululations announce successful negotiations, which quickly turn into song and dance. Traditionally, bride price was paid in cows, goats, and calves, but in today's world, money and other gifts are frequently accepted as substitutes. A man sends beads to a girl he's been eyeing for marriage among the Rendille. If she accepts, they become engaged, and the girl's parents show their support for the groom by placing a wooden ornament on the beads.
Dowry negotiations will then begin. The Kikuyu are well known for their ‘veiling’ of the bride where before negotiations can begin a group of veiled girls is brought out for the groom to pick his bride. Failure to pick the right one results in a fine, such as of a cow or goat.
