Koito ("To give away") is a
Kalenjin Kalenjin may refer to:
* Kalenjin people of Kenya
** keiyo people
** Kipsigis people
** Marakwet people
** Nandi people
** Pokot people
** Terik people
** Tugen people
** Sebei people
* Kalenjin language
* Kalenjin languages
The Kalenjin lang ...
wedding
ritual
A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community. Rituals are characterized, b ...
which involves the negotiation of a brides dowry.
Practice
There are variations in practice between the various sub-tribes, with the
Kipsigis for example having a smaller celebration where only one's immediate family and
oreet
The Oreet (pl. Ortinuek or Ortinweek) is a kinship group among the Kalenjin people of Kenya
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members are invited while the
Nandi
Nandi may refer to:
People
* Nandy (surname), Indian surname
* Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe
* Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi
* Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afr ...
on the other hand have large celebrations where the whole village is invited.
For all however the key elements are similar; that is the negotiation of the dowry payment which is done by a few select members/negotiators from both families in the privacy of a room separate from the other guests.
Mursik
Mursik is a traditional fermented milk variant of the Kalenjin people of Kenya. It can be made from cow or goat milk and is fermented in a specially made calabash gourd locally known as a ''sotet''. The gourd is lined with soot from specific tree ...
is drunk at the end of negotiations by those present to symbolize agreement and is seen as being crucial to the process.
After the negotiations, a celebration is held where the bridegroom and bride are given advise on family life by older relatives from both families. Usually symbolic gifts and presents are given to the couple during this ceremony.
The koito is often quite colorful and sometimes bears resemblance to a wedding ceremony and it is indeed gaining prominence as the key event since the kaayaaet'ap koito is sometimes merged with it and at other times the tunisiet is foregone in favor of it.
References
{{Reflist
Kalenjin
Wedding traditions