The girl’s family is usually responsible for the bride’s dress, and the younger children who will be in the wedding party. The bride chooses her bride’s maids and she usually chooses from both sides (families) and includes her friends. Kikuyu weddings are usually huge. It is not uncommon to find the bridal party of 20 .
Eve of the wedding:
On the day before this Christian wedding, the young man brings women from his village to visit his future in laws for the drinks ceremony ‘kurehe soda’ or ‘kurehe ucuru’. They usually come not just to visit, but to support the bride’s family who will be ‘cooking all night’ for the ceremony the night before the wedding. They bring with them drinks – soda, sour millet porridge ‘ucuru wa ugimbi’ etc.
This is really a way for the women folk to socialize with each other and build some ties. It is not uncommon for a few men to attend from the man’s side to render any assistance and escort the ladies. As they get close to the house, they all start hooting their cars and they don’t stop until they are allowed in the bride’s homestead. When the hooting starts, the village women from the bride rush to the gate and block it. The negotiations for entrance then begin. This time, it is done in form of music and song. The women sing that they “didn’t hear” the ‘strangers’ come and why do they want to “steal” their daughter away? They are requested to go back and return in the right way. The groom’s team may have to drive back (about 1/2 mile) and then return. The women then ask for blankets, sugar, tea, soda pop and other small items. The idea behind is: Our “daughter” used to cook & make tea for us – we don’t know who can replace her. All this is done through song and dance, and the young man (this is his mother’s domain) usually brings a woman who would be the main negotiators in the song saga. This can go on for about an hour. The young man’s team is then let in .
The items that are requested are then shared out among the villagers. The women then join in the festivities and the ‘all night cooking’
In modern times, there is no longer the ‘all night’ cooking parties since most weddings are catered by professional cooks. This ceremony however is still observed in the days preceding the wedding.
Come on @dabu that is not an insult. Ichukulie ka maboiz tumekalia mawe mtaani tukipiga story. At that instant I call you nyang’au, it is more of peer appreciation than insult.
Nop. But if u get yourself with a fine ass kyuk mama n u see its good for you u settle down with her, just be informed usiletewe hekaya hauelewi. Incase of any question just ask. Watu wamekuwa fleeced in the name of dowry
This is a tradition which I’m sure you’d also want to be part of when marrying off your daughterdaughter. Si kupea nyang’aste fulani binti yako na hata hajatry kujuana na familyy yako at all. Never steal someones daughter or it will be the same for you