In Kenya, the culture and family system are mainly patrilocal and patriarchal, and a bride’s dowry is often paid to the groom. This can take the form of money or livestock, and is often paid over an extended period of time. The dowry is important because it serves to satisfy legality and justice in the eyes of the family. In addition to providing for the bride’s upbringing, the dowry also provides a means for the groom to buy land or cattle for his future family.
a large amount of cash
Francesca Kinyua is an educated and well-mannered young lady from the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya. She is worth 500,000 Kenyan shillings, or about $8000. But she has refused to pay the bride price. She wants to marry into another clan of the Kikuyu tribe, and her mother is willing to fight for the money. But how much money is enough?
Although the practice of paying dowry to get a Kenyan woman is outlawed in the country’s constitution, the custom remains. Traditionally, the bride price is paid in cattle, although nowadays the amount can range from $100 to tens of thousands of dollars. In many pastoral communities, dowry is still an important part of the ceremony. Although the custom has been linked to cattle rustling, some families have decided to accept cash as dowry.
Some Western men are uncomfortable with paying a large sum of cash for a Kenyan bride. This tradition is a hallowed tribal custom that is frowned upon by young bachelors. The amount is equivalent to five years of a groom’s annual income. The price is paid post-maritally in livestock, bicycles, and money. Although it may sound like a lot of money, a Kenyan bride’s family usually keeps the bounty regardless of whether the couple divorces or not.
The traditional price for a Kenyan bride varies by region and ethnicity, but it is considered a significant sum of money and is an integral part of the marriage ritual. In Kenya, it can amount to five years’ worth of the groom’s income. Some countries prohibit the practice, so you may want to keep that in mind. This payment is not only expected but also required. If you want to give your girlfriend a huge amount of cash, make sure you pay it upfront, even if you don’t intend to get married immediately.
a large amount of cattle
The practice of paying a Kenyan bride’s family with a large quantity of cattle is a part of Maasai culture. Maasai men are expected to pay the family livestock when they marry a Kenyan bride. Although this practice is illegal in Kenya, it still happens in other African countries. In India, bride value calculators are usually paid in cash or in gifts to the groom’s family. This amount varies by pedigree, as some households choose to offer their daughters to important individuals or expensive items. In Kenya, however, a large amount of cattle is not accepted as a bride value calculator because of its association with cattle rustling.
In traditional Maasai society, cattle are the fundamental currency. Families try to assemble large herds to show their wealth, and they barter cattle for goods and services. Therefore, a large amount of cattle is a part of the bride price. When a man is wealthy, he may take more than one bride. If he has a large herd, he may have more than one wife.
The practice of paying a bride price has a storied history in African cultures with African brides. The practice has deep symbolic meaning and is prohibited in the Kenyan constitution, but some pastoral communities still insist on it. The bride price is equivalent to at least five years of the groom’s income, and is paid in livestock, bicycles, and money. However, in modern Kenyan society, the groom may pay the bride price in installments.
A Kenyan bride price is still a controversial issue, but the Supreme Court of Uganda has ruled that it cannot be refunded under the law. The ruling is set to set precedents for human rights complaints in Kenya. Kenyan women have long campaigned for a legal solution for their star of the wedding price. A decision on this issue is expected in the next year or two years. However, until then, the controversial issue will remain in the spotlight.
a large amount of property
The current situation for women in Kenya falls short of international and regional human rights standards. It also falls short of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which call for equal rights to land and property. Women’s ownership of matrimonial property is directly linked to their access to productive resources. Therefore, ensuring fair division of property is vital for protecting the rights of women during marriage and provides a clear lens on their economic contributions.
The right to property is a fundamental human right, and the right to own property is protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The African Charter of Human Rights also requires that states protect the right to property, and several human rights conventions prohibit discrimination on the basis of property. Yet, despite these rights, the cultural and social reality in Kenya has remained unchanged. A large amount of property for a Kenyan bride is an example of this situation.
According to Wilfred Akili Nyrro, senior assistant chief in Malindi, the country’s Kilifi county, a Kenyan woman once owned a vast amount of land that was gifted to her husband. This land is owned by the husband’s family, which may make adjudication difficult. The fact that property is often unclear may contribute to the low number of lawsuits related to matrimonial property in Kenya.
In Kenya, women still face significant barriers to obtaining their legal rights after marriage. Many do not even access the courts and petition for matrimonial property, which must be sought separately. The courts have limited information on women, and most women do not make use of the process. And when they do access the courts, they do so sparingly. A large amount of property for a Kenyan bride is a rare occurrence.
a large amount of food
Weddings in Kenya have many traditions, and these customs vary from tribe to tribe. The ceremony is usually followed by a religious ceremony, and traditional families will probably know the customs of their tribe. If you’re planning to marry someone from a different tribe, however, it’s important to be aware of the customs of the other side. Make sure you discuss your wedding plans with both sides of the family.
In addition to food, bride prices are sometimes exorbitant. In some parts of Kenya, dowries can exceed four times the average household income. Even if this is the case, it is common for men to abuse their new brides because they paid for her. Many Kenyans are now single, largely because of the high rates of unemployment and inflation in their country. According to family law advocate Judy Thongori, Kenyan women shouldn’t rush into marriage because they might not have the financial means to support their spouses.
The first stage of a Kenyan wedding ceremony is called ayie. Ayie, which means “I agree,” is a Luo language term meaning “I agree” and refers to the groom paying the bride price to the mother of the bride. This means the bride’s mother accepts the groom’s offer to marry her. The amount of food that a bride must bring to her wedding ceremony can reach a huge amount, so be prepared for this!
In addition to food, the bride prepares a meal for the groom. The bride will feed the groom in front of her friends and family, and she will have to accept her role as the traditional bride. The food is typically poultry, beef, or goat meat, and served with rice or ugali. In some areas, smoked beef is also served. The food that a bride prepares for her wedding is also a reflection of her culture.
a sign of commitment to take care of the woman
In June, UNFPA published a report revealing that 85% of child brides leave school and have children shortly after marriage. Most of these girls had no choice in the matter, and only 56% of women in Kenya make reproductive health decisions independently. Pregnancy-related deaths and depression are also higher risks for girls who are married young. Moreover, child brides are more susceptible to domestic violence and social isolation.
The present situation of women’s rights in Kenya falls short of international and regional standards. It also falls short of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for gender equality. Among these goals are equal rights for women to productive resources and land. Equal ownership of matrimonial property protects the rights of women during marriage and provides a window into women’s economic contributions. Therefore, the current situation in Kenya is not satisfactory and must change.
The Bukusu bride price includes 13 heads of cattle, two goats, blankets and sheets, a suit for the father, $1,150 USD for the mother and 20 liters of paraffin for school candles. The cost of the bride is paid upfront, as it is considered sinful to get married without paying the bride price. The Bukusu culture also requires that the mother not interact with her son-in-law.
The lobola price is a symbolic act performed at the mosque. The bride price can range from $100 to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the community. Although the Kenyan constitution outlaws the practice, most pastoral communities insist on payment of the bride price in cattle. Some families, however, accept cash. Although the lobola price has been linked to cattle rustling, it remains a custom.