Proposal by Invitation to Tend Mothers Garden

A long time ago (tene na tene) the work of a Kikuyu girl was to fetch firewood, haul water from the river to the homestead in gourds, feed and milk the cow, help her mother raise younger children. She was also tasked with helping her mother tend the food garden. This consisted in planting food, weeding and harvesting. She also helped her mother cook this food for the family.

When the time came to pick his bride, a young man (mwanake) would often spy on the young girls as they went about their duties. He would spy on them so as to see which ones were hardworking, responsible and strong. Which one would be the most suitable to give him children and take care of his new family.

Once he had made his choice, the mwanake would invite the young woman (mwiritu) to help him tend his mother’s food garden. If she accepted to go along, this was a sign that she had accepted him and had said yes to the proposal to become his wife.