Part IV: Cultural Diversity

For the remainder of our trip, we explored various cultures in Kenya. Our first exposure to a different culture was that we were able to witness a wedding in the Kikuyu tradition. In this tradition, the groom's family visits the bride's family. Women come out and sing and dance to welcome the groom's family. The songs are passed down from generation to generation and are usually story telling type songs. They may sing about the bride or the groom's and how they met and how the love each other etc. This is considered a very important occassion as it is when families of the bride and groom negotiate a dowry or “bride price” (this is called Ngurario). The groom’s family then brings goats, sheep, sometimes even cows or bulls. A goat is slaughtered and grilled and eaten as part of the celebration. Aiiililililileeeeee! ( ululation)

There were almost 100 people in attendance to represent the bride and groom’s families. As part of the ceremony, the bride’s family brings out several girls that are wrapped in traditional cloth (shuka or kanga) from head to toe. The groom must choose the girl that is his fiancé, or else he will have to pay a huge fine. Fortunately, in this case, the groom chose the girl that was his bride. How lucky! Most guys go two or three times. The wedding could now continue. The actual marriage of the two takes place when the groom cuts the right shoulder of the goat, and feeds the bride (always with the right hand). He also feeds the bride’s parents. The bride then gives the groom traditional sour porridge (also with the right hand). After he accepts, they are married and the celebration goes on until the last guest has gone. Keep in mind that the bride or groom has the choice to refuse feeding the other. This is their only chance to speak out on whether or not they are interested in the upcoming marriage. Lucky guy, the girl said yes!

The bride and groom also proceeded to have a modern wedding at their local church. This was a festive day. Starting with vows at the church and then a huge reception at a hotel with over 300 people in attendance. Red and Ivory were the wedding colors. Wow it was beautiful!

The reception was about wishing the couple the best in their marriage. The groom was given a spear, shield and sword, so that he may protect his family. The groom's dad was given a traditional stool, walking stick and fly whisk, as he is now older and should retire from the duties of providing for the family. His son will now take over! The groom's mum was given traditional basket and asked never to use plastic or paper bag's when shopping. The bride was given the leso, kanga - traditional body wrap to protect her clothes while she works for her new family.

At the Maasai Village that we mentioned in part 2, our guide explained to us that in their culture a man can have as many wives as he wants. What’s this, Polygamy? In the Maasai culture a man’s wealth is judged by the number of cows he has as well as the number of wives. The guide has two wives and his father, the chief, has 21 wives. Our guide was 26 years old at the time, and said that by the time he is 40, he wants to have 15 wives. The Maasai are one of the 42 ethnic groups in Kenya, and one of the last to continue to live in the traditional ways.

Apart from Maasai, who mainly live in Narok district and areas bordering Kenya and Tanzania, we also met people from other ethnic groups such as: Kikuyu, Embu and Meru, who originate mainly from Central Province. Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya and Teso, from Western Province. Kamba, from Eastern Province. Giriama and Swahili, from Coast Province. Although each ethnic group has its own unique language, the two primary languages of Kenya are English and Swahili. Communication is a breeze!

To check out a cultural safari send us an email: mysafari@wrightsafaris.com