Outside the bride’s home, a white flag tied to a tree near the entrance to the homestead flutters in the wind. There will be a wedding, a joining together of two families; the flag welcomes all who see it. From inside the yard, joyful voices sing, for it is well; a daughter is departing her parents’ home, to create one of her own. There will be dancing, feasting and jubilation – much ululation. But for this day to take place, an intricate dance played out before. Merero* were held, within and between the two families. These talks followed a carefully orchestrated path; they had to be done right to ensure that they create a binding, lasting union, not just of the man and woman, but of the two families.
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