Everyone knows that chickens are very important in terms, especially because of their meat and eggs. Anybody can raise chickens or indulge in poultry farming because of that, but a breed of chicken known as ‘Maruti’ in Waidakho has a different use according to their beliefs. This is according to Mr. Tito who is an old man in a village in Butura. He said some beliefs surround the ‘Makuti’ chicken. When this chicken comes out at dawn, first thing in the morning, it supposedly drives away the bad omen that may have beset the family. This stabilizes the family and keeps them safe, and nothing can change it.
He added this chicken isn’t supposed to be given to anyone as a gift, because it may drive him or her away, and he may opt to keep away completely, never to return again. He concluded with remarks that may be too shocking to some people, something which came across as a warning. According to tradition, when the father-in-law visits the home of his prospective son-in-law, the chicken breed may be used as a type of ‘traditional solution’ to avoid paying dowry. The son-in-law will give his wife the chicken to prepare for her father, and he will work to ensure that the wife doesn’t ask any questions or raise any suspicions. He may even say he doesn’t want his father-in-law to go back home without eating any chicken, which is a delicacy for visitors, especially in Western Kenya.
The ‘Makuti’ is prepared with little or no fuss, and the father-in-law will eat it wholly without any doubts since he has no idea the breed of chicken he is eating or the plans made behind his back concerning the meal. Afterwards, he will thank everybody for the meal and good courtesy, then he will promise to come back, but he won’t come back. Nevertheless, he won’t come back, according to tradition, and he won’t even pop up anywhere near his daughter’s marital home. So the warning, if your daughter is getting married somewhere in the region, be very wary of the ‘Makuti’ chicken, or else you may be a victim of tradition.
