Lovely Journey to Northern Kenya!

Launching a lovely trip, In the next few hours i will be travelling along the highway of Kenyan heroes...heading to Northern Kenya. But not forgetting to carry one thing that makes all Kenyans equal National Identification. I will be on the road for the next 20 hours, fearing of bad weather but proud of a superb season, hoping not to be exhausting and uneasy journey. Traveling is not a destination, its journey. My Nairobians friends thanks for mad evening, love you all but travelling with your hearts am feeling sorry but i will be back in few days time possible- InshAllah!
Byeee!

SOMALI MARRIAGE CEREMONY- Unique Expensive Culture!

Marriage is very much regarded and spells family value in Somali community. Marriages can either be arranged or be as a result of a personal choice. Either way the groom’s family elders set an appointment with the bride’s family. In the nomadic society the groom’s family brings a designated herd of camel and goats to the bride’s family as a dowry and in the urban the dowry is in the form of money. This is to respect the bride and her family and it reduced the meaningless divorce as it is not easy to let go with such a precious women.

These cultural dances usually occur after a wedding. Wedding are perhaps one of the most important aspects of the Somali culture. A wedding denotes not only the union of two souls but the relationship between families and more importantly two tribes.

Elders from the groom’s family send a delegation to the bride’s family to request their daughter’s hand for marriage. The bride’s family elders welcome the delegation from the groom’s side. Mainly discussions take place tentatively for three days. The first day the delegation presents the motive of their visit. On the second day, they discuss generally on the situation at hand. On the third day, the engagement ceremony is prepared the wedlock (engagement) takes place. The engagement or “Meher”, usually takes place a few days before the wedding or at times on the same day. The wedding arrangement and agreements are all settled on the day to prepare for the big day. But before the jubilant groom can lay hands on his beautiful bride, there are many hurdles to cross and many gifts to bestow upon her family. The weddings have various ceremonies. On the wedding day, many goats and a camel are slaughtered and plenty of rice, meat and drinks are served for both males and female attendants. This is when the formal Islamic wedding agreement takes place. A further important tradition is exchange of gifts between the two family and friends. The bride and the bride’s maid are taken to beauty salon. The bride wears a white wedding dress and atter women “dirac” with their hair covered with a scarf. In the afternoon celebration takes both the family’s residence and the new house. Food and drinks are served and tradional entertainment takes place i.e. “Buran -bur”. In the evening the bride is escorted to her new home by bridesmaid and her family and friends. The ceremony continues till late night. Cakes, meat called “nyirnyir” and soda are served to guests. The groom and his family pay for this.

It is a tradition that new bride remains in her home for a week after wedding. A helper stays with her during this period. On the third day, the grooms family visits them and drinks and food are served. On the seventh day is women’s party for the bride and it signifies her being welcomed to family way. She is adorned with “shashi” scarf, making officially the end of wedding. She is mentored and showered with wise counsel and to be breed another generation that defends the tribe of her husband. 

Eid -ul- Hajj

Happy Eid Mubarak...!