My dear friend Sammy Njenga is Kikuyu. The Kikuyu tribe are bantus and neighbors of Embu, Mbeere and Meru tribes along Mt. Kenya. They are the most popular and largest ethnic tribe of Kenya making up 22% of Kenya's population. The Kikuyu language is predominantly spoken thriving to the point of becoming Kenya’s third language of choice, English and Swahili being the first two. In keeping with Kikuyu traditions, the visiting wedding guests and bride received the complete trimmings of the rich traditions of the Kikuyu culture. Sammy is married to Cecilie Folkestad, a gorgeous ‘saucy’ witty Norwegian with a quick tongue ☺, when I first met her I knew straight away they were perfect for each other. So it was an honour to not just witness the union of two friends but also the union of two completely different cultures. The wedding day started in true Kikuyu fashion with Sammy’s family parading to Cecilie’s home dancing and singing in Kikuyu demanding that the bride be handed over. Cecilie and her family played their role in stalling the convoy at their doorstep for as long as humanly possible thus extending the singing and dancing to the amusement of everyone. The short clip captures the moment and is a beautiful sample of Kikuyu song and dance.
Kikuyus have historically influenced leadership and politics in Kenya. The current president, his Excellency Emilio Mwai Kibakis is Kikuyu and so is Professor Wangari Maathari, Africa’s first female Nobel peace price winner and the first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy and peace.
Sammy is fluent in Kikuyu, Swahili, English and is currently undertaking the challenge of Norwegian.
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow this is so beautiful totally diferent to South African Marriage union of Batswana.
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