The Bukusus, a sub-tribe of Luhya, are known to be people who still practice their rich culture to the core.
With the advent of Western civilization and technology, Bukusus are now marrying members of other tribes who may not be aware of one basic rule: one should not shake hands with their in-laws.
Daughters-in-law are forbidden from shaking hands with their fathers-in-law. Sons-in-law are equally prohibited from shaking the hands of their mothers-in-law.
Leave alone shaking hands, they are not even allowed in close proximity to the parents-in-law of the opposite sex. Neither are they allowed inside a room together for longer than necessary.
The rule also requires that one should not extend their visit till the setting sun finds them there, nor should the door be closed with them inside the room at any point during the visit.
Ignoring such a basic rule may lead to a man being fined heavily and a woman being chased away from her maternal home. It may also raise questions of fidelity and respect for the in-laws and compromise one’s marriage.
This tradition, which is slowly fading away, exists to prevent any possibility of sexual immorality and maintain the reverence required by parents-in-law from their children-in-law.
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