Governor Anne Waiguru Big Wedding Day: Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and her partner, lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo, have set Saturday, July 13 as their traditional wedding date.
The ceremony, known as โngurarioโ in the Kikuyu tradition, will be held at Kiamugumo Primary School in Gichugu, Kirinyaga.
All invited guests have been directed to confirm their attendance by June 30.
Mr Waiganjo and Ms Waiguru held โruracioโ [dowry payment] ceremony on February 16.
On โngurarioโ day, the groom, his parents and other people accompanying him, arrive at the brideโs home, but they are not allowed to enter the house. A tradition called โkuhura hotiโ is performed.
The women from the groomโs procession start to sing. They carry various gifts. The women inside the house also sing. After some time, the door is finally opened. In some communities, an extra amount of money has to be paid for the door to be opened.
What follows is a kind of game, where the groom has to recognise his bride among a group of women dressed in similar clothes. This tradition is known as โgucagura muka wakeโ. If he chooses the wrong woman, he has to part with some money.
After finding the bride, the groom has to ritually cut goat meat prepared for the occasion. He, thereafter, shares the meat to some of his family members and that of the bride. The groom also has to answer a couple of questions asked by a representative of the brideโs family.
According to a tradition called โkuria matuโ, the groom gives the bride goatโs ears, which she chews.
After that, the bride returns the goatโs ears to her partner. This act, according to Kikuyu custom, should remind the pair that they should always listen to each other. Single women present at the occasion also chew goatโs ears.
The bride also has some duties to perform during the wedding day. She combs the groomโs hair.
She also polishes his shoes and cuts his nails. She also offers him some porridge (โgukundania ucuruโ). Traditionally, the groom, at first, should reject the offer. However, upon receiving a gift, he changes his mind.
The couple, thereafter, gets a wedding certificate, whose details are read in public.
Mr Waiganjo and Ms Waiguru are both divorced from their former spouses.
Byย Brian Okoth
-edaily.co.ke