Murang’a Woman Shares Heart-Wrenching Experience of Watching Son’s Cremation After Marrying Indian Husband

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A woman from Murang’a has bravely shared the significant challenges she encountered during her 28-year marriage to an Indian man, particularly how their differing cultures led to ongoing conflicts.

She recounted the harrowing experience of watching her son’s cremation, a deeply painful moment that underscored the cultural clashes she faced throughout their union. Her story highlights the emotional and cultural struggles she endured as she navigated the complexities of blending two distinct cultural traditions within her family.

Alice shared her poignant story about meeting her now ex-husband when she was still a high school student and he was her teacher. She recalled being deeply in love with him and eagerly anticipating their future together. In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Alice described how their relationship developed over time, culminating in a moment when she introduced him to her parents as they prepared to settle down.

During this pivotal meeting, however, the cultural differences between Alice and her partner began to surface. The clash between their distinct backgrounds became evident, setting the stage for the challenges they would face throughout their marriage.

Alice recounted a significant cultural clash during the introduction of her now ex-husband to her parents. “During the meeting, the issue of dowry came up,” she explained. “My dad wanted to know when he would provide the bride price, as is customary in Kikuyu culture. To our surprise, the Indian man stated that, according to his culture, it was customary for the bride’s family to offer gifts to the groom instead.”

This divergence in cultural practices led to a standstill. Alice’s father declined the Indian man’s request, resulting in both families opting not to adhere to their respective traditions. Consequently, Alice and her partner proceeded with their marriage without the exchange of a bride price, highlighting the challenges and compromises required when blending different cultural practices.

After 28 years, Alice’s marriage has unfortunately ended, largely due to the insurmountable cultural differences that made it difficult for the relationship to thrive. Reflecting on her past decisions, Alice admitted, “My parents strongly advised me against marrying him, but I chose to ignore their warnings. Looking back, I wish I had listened.”

She elaborated on the impact of their differing cultural and religious backgrounds on their marriage. “Although we had initially agreed that I would remain a Christian and he would practice Hinduism, the birth of our children led to significant changes. I eventually converted to Hinduism to accommodate the needs of our family,” Alice shared. This shift in her personal beliefs underscores the profound influence that cultural differences and family dynamics can have on an individual’s life and relationships.

Watching son’s cremation

Alice, a Kenyan woman, has shared a heart-wrenching account of her experience dealing with her son’s cremation, a process deeply rooted in Hindu customs that starkly contrasted with her own cultural practices. She recounted the profound pain she felt during this period. “When my son died, we followed Hindu customs, and it was incredibly painful for me. I was present at the crematorium, where I saw the firewood placed on his body and watched as his remains were reduced to ashes. This was a very difficult moment for me because I had only ever known burial practices,” she explained.

Alice further revealed the distressing details of the cremation process. “I remember when he died, he was initially taken to the morgue. On the day of the cremation, he could not be placed in a coffin, as that is not part of Hindu tradition. We carried his body wrapped in a bedsheet, and I was compelled to watch the entire process,” she said, adding that she had even shared videos from the crematorium on the day of her son’s cremation. The experience left her deeply traumatized, and she is still struggling to recover from the emotional impact.

Reflecting on her experience, Alice offered advice to those considering intercultural marriages. “For couples thinking about marrying across cultures, it is crucial to thoroughly understand and respect each other’s traditions and practices before making such a significant commitment. Don’t let love blind you to the potential challenges. It’s important to interrogate and appreciate your partner’s cultural background to avoid facing some of the difficulties I encountered,” she cautioned.