Kikuyu elders in Nyeri Sunday paid dowry to the Catholic Church in a symbolic “wedding” in which a nun dedicated her life in the service of the church.
Sr Rose Catherine Wambui was the bride in a Kikuyu traditional rite known as Ngurario in which her “groom”, the church, was represented by Fr Boniface Murage.
The colourful ceremony was held at St Francis of Assisi Gititu Catholic Church in Tetu Constituency.
Members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, popularly known as Kĩama Kĩa Ma, conducted the ceremony attended by hundreds of faithful and clergy.
Sister Rose Catherine Wambuilifts a piece of meat given by Father Boniface Murage, left, who represented the church during the ceremony. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI
OFFICIALLY MARRIED
The ceremony meant that Sr Wambui was officially married to the church.
Similar to the traditional marriage, a cow was slaughtered and different parts of its body were used to symbolise the union.
Fr Boniface Murage, who is in-charge of the Gititu Catholic Church, received the symbolic dowry payment on behalf of the church.
Sr Wambui’s father, Francis Wakibiru offered his blessings to her using the traditional Kikuyu was served with the traditional brew.
Father Boniface Murage (left) gives a roasted goat ear to Sister Rose Catherine Wambui. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI
“God bless you my daughter and this union. May you live in accordance to the church,” he said to his daughter.
Sr Wambui was born in 1965 and the ceremony marked her 25th anniversary since she became a Catholic nun.
She took her first vows in 1990. She is a member of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi where she is also currently serving.
GOING TO JAMAICA
Mzee Francis Wakibiru blesses her daughter Sister Rose Catherine Wambui during the ceremony. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI
However, she will be going to Jamaica next week where the church has sent her to serve.
“I will be working with people living with HIV/Aids in Jamaica,” she said.
Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe and Tetu MP Ndung’u Gethenji attended the ceremony.
The two leaders urged people to uphold traditional ways and values.
“People should go back to the Kikuyu traditional way of doing things as a way of uniting and coming together as a community,” said Mr Gethenji.
