Kikuyu Frequently Asked Questions

Key roles  and  Ruracio process explained

Roles

• Village elders(athuri)
• Spokesman(muthamaki)

Process

• How is bride price valued?
• What does dowry constitute of?
• How marriage Ceremony occurs?

Village elders(athuri)

Who is a village elder?

•  People who are valued in wisdom and hold positions of responsibility

Role of Villager elders?

• Organize and facilitates dowry payment process and the wedding

Qualities of athuri

• Pure in heart
• Wise
• A good role model
• One who has endured hardship

Who makes a reputable village elders?

• They should be of the same age group as the father of groom/bride
• Be member of Kiama of community
• He should have married and had children

Spokesman(muthamaki)

Who is a muthamaki?

• He is a go between and the spokesman for the grooms family

What is matchmakes role?

• He is responsible for solving any problems or easing tension during bride negotiations

Who can take the role of muthamaki?

• It can be the groom’s uncles
• Can be from immediate or extended family
• A respected member of the community
• Male friend

Qualities of muthamaki

• Good temperament
• Good communication skills
• Mature and dependable

How is bride price valued?

• Things have changed such that it is determined by several of these factors:
• How much education the girl has received
• If she has a career
• Social Class

What does dowry constitute of?

Athuri(items for men)

• Gioma(fattened ram)
• Thenge(he goat)
• Ng’ondu(Sheep)
• Kaburi
• Blankets
• Mori(heifer)
• Mburi cia mirongo(goats-these are counted in tens)
• Njohi ya uuki(beer made from honey)
• Itangi ria mai(water tank)

Athuri(items for women)

• Nyungu(pot)
• Ciihuri(calabashes)
• Mukwa(new rope)
• Nguo cia atumia(women wear)
• Njohi cia atumia(beer for women-now soda)
• Ushuru wa mukio(fermented porridge)

How does the marriage ceremony occur?

• The whole community usually gets involved
• Women team up and organize the menu and they contribute the food.
• Young men and women team up and raise funds for thee wedding.
• Young men arrange for transportation and refreshments.
• The girl’s family is usually responsible for girl’s dress and the young children who will be in the wedding party.