koito
{{short description|Kalenjin wedding ritual}}
{{other uses}}
Koito ("To give away"){{cite web|url=https://www.renee.co.ke/uncategorized/transitions/|title=Transitions|website=renee.co.ke|date=December 23, 2013|access-date=August 11, 2019}} is a Kalenjin wedding ritual which involves the negotiation of a brides dowry.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/in-pictures/2019-08-09-photos-ruto-attends-his-brothers-dowry-negotiation-in-eldoret/|title=Ruto attends his brother's dowry negotiation in Eldoret|last=Ndanyi|first=Mathews|newspaper=The Star (Kenya)|date=August 9, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2019}}
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 members are invited while the Nandi on the other hand have large celebrations where the whole village is invited.{{cite web|url=https://lovemattersafrica.com/marriage/thinking-about-marriage/kenyan-wedding-traditions|title=Kenyan wedding traditions|website=lovemattersafrica.com|date=15 January 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2019}}
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 is drunk at the end of negotiations by those present to symbolize agreement and is seen as being crucial to the process.{{cite web|url=https://ntv.nation.co.ke/news/2720124-4274096-vsaudi/index.html|title=Mursik season!|website=nation.co.ke|date= January 2, 2018|access-date=August 11, 2019}}
After the negotiations, a celebration is held where the bridegroom and bride are given advice on family life by older relatives from both families. Usually symbolic gifts and presents are given to the couple during this ceremony.{{cite web|url=https://hivisasa.com/posts/interesting-steps-in-traditional-marriage-ceremony-amongst-the-kalenjin-community|title=Interesting steps in traditional marriage ceremony amongst the Kalenjin community|website=hivisasa.com|date= July 2, 2018|access-date=October 18, 2018}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://omgvoice.com/entertainment/lovely-photos-ntvs-ken-mijungus-traditional-wedding|title=Traditional Koito wedding|website=omgvoice.com|date=July 2, 2018|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201742/https://omgvoice.com/entertainment/lovely-photos-ntvs-ken-mijungus-traditional-wedding/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://africaiblogyou.wordpress.com/tag/kalenjin-traditional-wedding|title=Kalenjin traditional wedding, The fusion of culture|website=africaiblogyou.wordpress.com|date= December 14, 2016|access-date=October 18, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://parentsafrica.com/2015/08/31/dowry-and-wedding-on-same-day/|title=Dowry and wedding on same day|website=parentsafrica.com|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201512/https://parentsafrica.com/2015/08/31/dowry-and-wedding-on-same-day/|url-status=dead}}