ABANYALA BA KAKAMEGA: Indigenous knowledge on brideswealth payment.
Among the Abanyala ba Kakamega , a married woman is never considered officially married if no brides-wealth or part of it is paid. Brides-wealth and a ceremony of echio were the signs a marriage has been formalized. It was always put across that; oyu wakhwa nche owuwo.' However, in disputes involving wife snatching, it was the ceremony of echio that was the equivalent of a marriage certificate. Once the above had been done, she becomes a great asset for the community and was referred to as esirongo sia nawutube (salt-s oil-lick for all)- one who could perform a traditional function for a mixed group of community members. No other man could remarry such a woman and pay dowry again. A woman whose dowry had not been paid, at times who was given out as a gift to create peace among clans, was called omukhasi wa embo-sii. The following terms are vital in marriage payments Amaecho - presents given to the girl, the parents or relatives to the girl as a sign of good will and love