posted on: Saturday, 28 October 2023
by Browncord Events

Tags:   Event Planning

Are you planning a wedding in Kenya or want to honour your Kenyan heritage on your special day? If so, you might want to include some of the rich and diverse Kenyan wedding traditions and customs that have been passed down for generations. 

Kenya is a country with more than 40 tribes, each with its own unique culture and practices. However, there are also some common elements that unite most Kenyan weddings, such as the importance of family, community, and celebration.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular and meaningful Kenyan wedding traditions and customs that you can incorporate into your big day. Whether it's the attire, the ceremony, or the reception, there are plenty of ways to make your wedding more authentic and memorable.

Traditional Kenyan Wedding Attire

One of the most noticeable aspects of a Kenyan wedding is the traditional attire worn by the bride, the groom, and the guests. The traditional attire is usually colourful, vibrant, and eye-catching, often featuring intricate patterns and designs that represent different meanings.

For example, some brides may choose fabrics with geometric shapes which symbolize fertility or prosperity. The head wrap can also be made from these same fabrics and other materials such as lace or tulle. Jewellery is an important part of completing the look, usually consisting of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and rings.

For grooms at Kenyan weddings, they are typically dressed in kanzu or suits accompanied by a kofia hat. Kanzu are long white tunics worn over trousers, while kofia hats come in various colours and styles depending on regionality. Suits are also popular among grooms who want something more modern yet still appropriate for the occasion.

Guests attending Kenyan weddings must also adhere to traditional attire guidelines; men wear shirts paired with trousers, while women opt for dresses that reach below their knees accompanied by shawls if necessary due to religious beliefs or cultural practices. Colourful fabrics like those seen on bridal outfits are encouraged but not required since guests don’t have to stand out much compared to the couple.

 Ceremony Traditions

The ceremony is the heart of any wedding, and in Kenya, there are some unique and beautiful traditions that make it more special and meaningful. Here are some of the most common ceremony traditions that you can include in your wedding:

Procession and Entrance: In a traditional Kenyan wedding, the bride and groom are escorted to the ceremony by their families. The procession is often accompanied by singing, dancing, and drums. Upon arrival at the ceremony site, both sides of the family will greet each other with hugs and handshakes before they enter together.

Exchange of Vows and Rings: The exchange of vows and rings is a universal symbol of love and commitment in any wedding. In Kenya, the vows are usually spoken in English or Swahili, while the rings are made of gold or silver. Some couples may also exchange other items such as necklaces or bracelets as a sign of their bond.

Unity Ceremonies: Unity ceremonies are a way of symbolizing the union of two families and cultures in a wedding. There are different types of unity ceremonies that can be performed in a Kenyan wedding, such as:

    - Pouring sand: This involves pouring different coloured sand into a single container to represent the blending of two lives.

    - Lighting candles: This involves lighting two individual candles from a single flame to represent the joining of two souls.

    - Tying knots: This involves tying two pieces of cloth or rope together to represent the strength of two people working together.

    - Planting a tree: This involves planting a sapling or a seed in a pot or in the ground to represent the growth of a new family.

 Reception Traditions

The reception is the time to celebrate and have fun after the ceremony. In Kenya, there are some traditions that make the reception livelier and more enjoyable for everyone. Here are some of the most popular reception traditions that you can incorporate into your wedding:

• Food and Drinks: Food and drinks are essential for any wedding reception, and in Kenya, there are some dishes and beverages that are especially popular for weddings. Some of the typical foods served at Kenyan weddings include:

• Nyama choma: This is roasted meat (usually beef or goat) that is marinated with spices and cooked over an open fire.
• Ugali: This is a staple dish made of maize flour that is cooked with water to form a thick porridge-like consistency.
• Chapati: This is a flatbread made of wheat flour that is cooked on a griddle.
• Pilau: This is a rice dish cooked with spices, meat, and vegetables.
• Samosa: This is a fried pastry filled with minced meat, potatoes, and peas.
• Kachumbari: This is a salad made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lemon juice.

Some of the typical drinks served at Kenyan weddings include:

• Tea: This is a hot drink made of black tea leaves and milk or sugar.
• Coffee: This is a hot drink made of roasted coffee beans and water.

Beer: This is an alcoholic drink made of fermented grains.

• Wine: This is an alcoholic drink made of fermented grapes.

- Music and Dancing: Music and dancing are a must for any wedding reception, and in Kenya, there are some genres and styles that are especially popular for weddings. Some of the typical music genres played at Kenyan weddings include:

• Benga: This is a genre of music that originated in Kenya and features electric guitars, bass, drums, and vocals.
• Afro-pop: This is a genre of music that blends elements of African music with pop, rock, hip hop, and other genres.
• Gospel: This is a genre of music that expresses Christian faith and worship.
• Reggae: This is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica and features rhythmic beats, bass, guitars, and vocals.

Some of the typical dance styles performed at Kenyan weddings include:

• Isukuti: This is a dance style that involves jumping, stomping, clapping, and shaking to the beat of drums.
• Chakacha: This is a dance style that involves swaying the hips and waist to the rhythm of tambourines and flutes.
• Genge: This is a dance style that involves moving the shoulders and arms to the tempo of hip hop music.
• Salsa: This is a dance style that involves moving the feet and hips to the melody of Latin music.

 Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to incorporate Kenyan wedding traditions and customs into your big day. Whether you choose one or more of these traditions, you will surely make your wedding more authentic and memorable.

If you need help finding the best event service providers for your wedding in Kenya, you can use Browncord Adverts. Browncord Adverts is a one-stop event service providers marketplace in Kenya. We make it simple to find, compare and book the best local service providers for any event, from DJs and photographers to caterers and florists. We make planning your party or event stress-free.

To learn more about how Browncord Adverts can help you plan your perfect wedding in Kenya, visit our website or contact us today. We would love to hear from you!