Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Kenyan Wedding Traditions: Giving Dowry



Meet Christine (Naila), a Kenyan living here in the states. Christine had a quiet ceremony with her and her husband, but is saving up to have a big wedding with Kenyan traditional touches. We asked Christine just what are the traditions for Kenyans and she was able to touch on the first part of the whole wedding exchange. Much like many other African cultures, dowry is involved when starting the wedding process for many Kenyans. The man has to ask the parents of the bride-to-be if he is allowed to marry her daughter. Next, the woman's parents set a dowry amount (a dowry is a transfer of parental property at the marriage of a daughter). A huge party is thrown and introductions are made and the parents go into a separate room and discuss the dowry. Once an agreement has been made the couple is officially engaged.

Are you Kenyan? What are other traditions in your culture's wedding? Share with us in the comments below!

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