FAQs

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Note - FAQ Updates

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As we get closer to the wedding date, please check back in the FAQ section for updates. We will be updating this section periodically to cover any new questions that come up from our guests. Thank you!

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Brief Summary of Kenya

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Kenya (officially the Republic of Kenya), is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. Kenya's capital and largest city is Nairobi. Other major cities within the country include Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Going clockwise Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, Tanzania to the southwest, and Lake Victoria and Uganda to the west. English and Swahili are the national and official languages of Kenya. However, it is common for most Kenyans to speak their specific tribe's language. The 5 major tribes of Kenya are the Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, and Kamba, and over 40 various minor tribes. Kenya is a presidential representative republic, with three branches of government- Executive , Legislature (comprised of the Senate and Parliament), and the Judiciary. Kenya has a diverse geography, including snow capped mountains; deserts, temperate agricultural regions, tropical rainforests, and humid coastal regions. Notable features include Lake Victoria, Mount Kenya, the Rift Valley, The Mara Triangle, and Mangrove Swamps along the Indian Ocean. East Africa is known as the cradle of humanity, as it is the location where the first humans evolved from ancestral members of the genus homo. Historically, Kenya was an important region on the Swahili coast, and maintained connections with the Middle East and India, and later Portugal, and Britain. In modern times, Kenya is a major exporter of agricultural products such as tea, coffee, and fresh flowers, but in general has a diverse economy. The M-PESA money transfer service, seen as the inspiration for Apply Pay, was invented in Kenya in 2007.

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Who are the Luo?

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The Luo, a River-Lake Nilotic tribe, originated from the Nile Valley in South Sudan. Their ancestors lived in the region of Bahr el-Ghazal before migrating south and settling in present day western Kenya and Northwest Tanzania. They are a part of a larger group of related Luo peoples who have historically lived in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. They speak Dholuo. Today, the Luo are the 4th largest ethnic group in Kenya, at approximately 11% of the population. The Luo are known for being rich in culture and observe various aspects of their culture and tradition to date, including but not limited to nyadhi marriage (nyombo), funeral and burial rites (weche liel). Self-confidence, elegance and style (nyadhi) are highly valued within the community.

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What is a Nyombo

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The Nyombo is the traditional wedding ceremony in Luo culture. Historically, the marriage tradition in the Luo tribe would consist of several stages, including a setup (by a matchmaker known as a Ja-Gam), an abduction (Yuecho), wrestling for the bride (Amen), acceptance of the match (Ayie), an offered dowry (Nyombo), and a marriage feast. Note that the dowry was not seen as an obligated payment to the family of the bride, but an offering from the groom's family out of appreciation. These marriages were not just about the relationship between the bride and groom, but about union of two families into one. Today, the ceremony, typically referred to as Nyombo, is largely performed for symbolic and ceremonial purposes. The groom offers cows and Ayie to the bride's parents to honor their daughter and seal the marriage and union between the two families. Marriage is very important in Luo culture, so important, that the entire extended families from both sides will attend the Nyombo ceremony. It is characterized by lots of dancing and celebration. Joluo (the Luo People) have incorporated various aspects of Christianity into the ceremony to honor their religion as well.

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What is the White Wedding

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The White Wedding is the western style wedding ceremony. It's called the white wedding in Kenya because the bride wears a white dress, and to differentiate it from the other traditional wedding ceremonies (Nyombo).

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What is the weather like in Kenya?

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We will be spending most of our time in the city of Nairobi and in the county of Homa Bay in western Kenya, and both areas are very pleasant! Nairobi is located high in the highlands in the south-central part of Kenya, at an elevation of 5,500 feet (1,680 meters). It will be warm during the day, and tends to cool off significantly at night. The temperature in is typically between 55°F - 75°F in August, with a relative humidity of 75%. This will be comparable to May or September in Chicago. Homa Bay is located on the coast of Lake Victoria. The lake has a strong effect on the weather, similar to Lake Michigan with Chicago. The temperature will be between 65°F - 80°F with a relative humidity of around 68%. This will be comparable to June in Chicago.

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Lucas and Abby Contact Information

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We have scheduled an information session on January 25, 2026 from 12:00PM to 1:30 pm CST via Google Meet. We will be answering questions regarding the wedding, travel, accommodation etc. Please send your questions to Lucas ahead of the meeting. We have sent out the link to the guests who will be travelling from the US. If you have not received the meeting information, please reach out to Lucas or Abby ASAP. If you have specific questions about the wedding, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at elfirpo@gmail.com and we will address any questions you have as soon as possible. We will be hosting an information session in late January 2026 to answer any questions. We will communicate the details of this session shortly.

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RSVP Deadline

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January 31st, 2026

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Are plus ones allowed?

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We are so excited to celebrate with you! At this time, we are only able to include invited guests.

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Where should we book accommodations?

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We will be recommending hotels in Nairobi and Homa Bay that will include a discounted group rate and group transportation. If you choose to book in a different hotel, please let us know so we are aware. All hotels and other travel related information are listed in the travel section of this website.

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How can we get around Kenya?

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Ubers, Bolt, and Little Cab are a safe and reliable ways to get around Kenya (no Lyft though!)

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When is the RSVP deadline?

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Thank you in advance for sending your RSVP before January 31st, 2026. We request that you RSVP right here on our wedding website. Should you encounter any issues, please reach out to Abby or Luke for further guidance.

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Is there a dress code for the Nyombo and/or White Wedding?

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Yes. The dress code for the Nyombo and White Wedding is listed in the Event Schedule section of our wedding website. We encourage you all to dress to impress as we make the best of memories on those days. No jeans, t-shirts or other casual attire for the two main events.

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Where should we bring/ send our wedding gift? Is there a link to your wedding registry?

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Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. Nonetheless, if you would like to honor us with a gift, you can find our complete wedding registry here on our website (and purchase directly from our wish list) under the "Registry" tab.