The rituals begin at midnight on the eve of the death day of an ancestor and must end before the rooster crows for the last time on the following day. The ritual is performed during the first hours of a day so that the entire day may be spent commemorating the ancestor, and end with the last crow of a rooster as it was believed the soul leaves the world of man at the break of daylight. To begin kijesa , the ritual performers first read a written prayer expressing respect and reverence for the ancestor. The gates to the house are left open so that the spirit may freely enter. After the prayer and ritual bowing, the performers leave the ritual area for a while so that the spirit of the ancestor may enjoy the food in comfort.
Performers share the wine and food together after the ritual.