The new dowry fee process, or ruracio, on the Kikuyu people of Kenya is some incidents you to definitely culminate regarding the commission away from an amount of cash, animals, or any other worthwhile items from the groom otherwise his friends so you’re able to the new bride’s loved ones. So it historical tradition can be regarded as a method to honor and you may value the bride and her friends, and commemorate the fresh new commitment of these two group.
- The procedure starts in the event the bridegroom offers to the latest bride to be and you will, in the event the she agrees, he sets an ending up in this new parents away from their tribe. Such parents are usually people in the fresh new longer friends who’re inside their 1960s otherwise more mature.
- This new bridegroom directs an effective delegation, usually including 8-15 users, to your bride’s household members to inform them of his intent so you’re able to wed and also to demand an excellent dowry discussion meeting.
- If elders visited the new bride’s house, he could be met of the bride’s family, that have also referred to as their own number of parents. Both communities exchange short presents out of dead dishes, such as rice, wheat, glucose, beverage, and preparing oil, once the an indication of admiration and you may goodwill.
- The dowry negotiation meeting is then kept, with the groom’s delegation additionally the bride’s loved ones discussing brand new words of dowry commission. It settlement processes will be extended, that have each party bargaining and you will negotiating up to a mutually arranged amount is actually reached.
- The brand new dowry percentage process includes numerous events top right up for the genuine percentage of one’s dowry. These types of situations are “kumenya mucii” (learning the new bride’s domestic), “kuhanda ithigi” (literally meaning growing a part away from a tree), and you can “kuracia” (actual dowry fee).
- “Kuhanda ithigi” is a a symbol experiences the spot where the groom vegetation a department away from a tree to denote the bride to be could have been commercially kepted from the him.
- “Kuracia” ‘s the genuine dowry commission, that is influenced by numerous affairs for instance the bride’s education, community, social classification, and you will whether or not she actually is a good virgin or expecting. The new dowry payment s, goats, sheep, bedding, heifers, goats measured inside the 10s, and cash.
- Pursuing the dowry might have been decideded upon and you can paid down, the new groom’s relatives check outs new bride’s home to get a hold of where its daughter might be staying in a traditions titled “itara.”
- The newest “kuguraria,” or traditional Kikuyu relationships out of antiquity, will then be kept, that requires the new groom and bride doing traditional moving and you may vocal.
- Throughout the Kikuyu culture, the fresh partner is anticipated to look after his household members while making important decisions on domestic, since the partner is expected to deal with the family and you can boost the children.
Complete, new tradition out-of dowry payment, or ruracio, is a crucial part of your own Kikuyu culture that is still widely practiced now. It is named an approach to honor and you can respect the fresh bride to be and her family members, in order to celebrate the fresh new partnership of these two family members. Although not, it’s important to observe that this new heritage off dowry payment is not widely acknowledged that is not experienced in every parts regarding Kenya or in all Dehradun hot women the social communities. You will need to be aware of and you can admiration the newest social way of life and you will heritage of your own Kikuyu some one when engaging in a good relationships or any other important lifetime incidents.
It is extremely vital that you keep in mind that dowry commission, like any heritage, might be at the mercy of discipline or abuse. It is important that all of the activities mixed up in dowry commission processes work in respect and you will integrity, and that this new culture isn’t used as a means out-of exploitation or discrimination.
Abuse Of the Dowry System
A good way in which dowry fee could have been abused is by using the use of dowries as an easy way out-of exploitation otherwise discrimination. In many cases, the newest dowry percentage might have been necessary by bride’s loved ones into the excessive figures of cash otherwise products, causing monetary filter systems and adversity to your groom otherwise his household members.
Simultaneously, dowry percentage has been used as a means of discrimination, towards the bride’s loved ones demanding large dowries to possess brides that are knowledgeable, have jobs, otherwise are from highest public groups.
To deal with the opportunity of punishment and punishment of your dowry fee system, what is important for all functions involved to act with respect and you may stability, and consider the financial ability of group involved.
To summarize
The fresh new dowry payment process, otherwise ruracio, are a longstanding customs from the Kikuyu community that is intended to award and value the fresh new bride to be along with her household members, and you will commemorate new relationship of several families. It is vital to regard new social living and community off the fresh Kikuyu some body, and to guarantee that dowry percentage isn’t utilized since the a beneficial a style of exploitation or discrimination. All of the events involved in the dowry procedure should work in accordance and you can integrity, due to the monetary element of the family unit members in it. The brand new tradition may differ based local practices, economic factors, and you will social background, and it is necessary to understand and you can esteem this type of items to keep this new cultural significance of dowry payment about Kikuyu society.