If people intended to marry, all close relatives of the wedding couple gathered at the house. A Munyai (marriage broker) comes to arrange the traditional marriage formalities. While this celebration the guest clap the Gusvi (a special kind of clapping). In Africa, marriages join not only two people but two family trees.

Thus, the preparations for a wedding are far important than the actual ceremony. The combined families offer not only protection, education, a sense of security and care of the eldery, but also a link to one's ancestors. The leading figures within this family clan are the Sekuru (male relatives two generations removed, or grandfather) and the Ambuya (grandmother) as they are closed to the ancestors. Every large family has its totem (Mutupo), often an animal or part of the body. People with the same totem are not allowed to mary.

The bride's song is a special one praising the bride for all her beauty (runako rwake), her character (hunhu hwake), her intelligence (njere dzake) and her personality (chimiro chake).