We snaked our way through the scenic Nyahururu landscape, accompanying a cousin who decided to marry from the other side. We were going for a ruracio or koito as we call in our community.
As we are accustomed in our backyards, any ceremony as little as a thanksgiving is often a community affair. People begin hovering around the homestead where a ceremony is being held, as neighbours race against time preparing various delicacies for the people. You can’t miss the place.
We were quite surprised to find that there were no people in the bride’s home. Okay, there were people but were not that many. In fact, we had trouble locating the homestead, which brings about one of the things that make ceremonies in Kalenjin land successful – many people.
Number of people
After the ceremony has ended, you will hear people talking about the numbers, usually expressed: there were a huge number of people. It is quite a success when people come to celebrate your big day. It is said that some even have nightmares when they think that people will not show up for the big day.
Enough food
It is not merely enough for a huge number of people to show up, it is important that the food prepared is enough to feed the entire gathering. People will eat to their fill and go about spreading the good news usually saying: two bulls were slaughtered.
Number of cars
Another thing is the number of cars that bring the people. It is directly related to the number of people. The high the number personal cars, the more people will associate success to the ceremony. You can imagine our surprise when we got to Nyahururu to find only one car parked.
The bride and the groom
The bride and the groom are usually the last things on people’s minds. Matter of fact people won’t even remember their names after the ceremony is over. However, the cake and the dressing usually form a better part of the conversation among the womenfolk.
After party or drinks
Lastly, there is the after party where drinks come in. I was quite surprised by our brothers from Mt Kenya who left immediately the ceremony was over, one even hitching a ride back to the city. In Kalenjin land, people remain behind, drink the night away and wash the utensils the following day.
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