In every tradition, love is celebrated in unique ways making it such a beautiful special thing.
In Kenya however, you can’t choose the love of your life, it is believed that elders know best hence your parents decide whom you settle down with.
Marriages are arranged without consulting the bride or even her mother. A week before the wedding a meeting is held and consist of an arrangemen
t in which both families agree on the number of cows the family of the groom will exchange for the bride.
On the wedding day the bride is required to dress with a bold and colorful necklace with beads and shells. At the wedding ceremony held by the Massai people, the bride’s head is shaved and lamb fat and oil is applied on her head. The father of the bride blesses his daughter by spitting on her head and breasts.
Spitting is a symbol of disgrace usually but in Massai nation, it is thought to bring good luck and fortune. She then leaves with her hus
band and
does not look back for fear of turning into stone. This is such a frightening experience for the bride who is usually 13-16 years old. In order to chase away bad luck women from the groom’s family insult the bride as she walks to her new home to meet her husband.
The husband doesn’t stay in the house in which she stays for the next two days and then her mother in law shaves her head. This commences the
wedding ceremony declaring them man and wife for life. The wedding celebration involves dancing with wooden sticks and jumping up to great lengths.
