Gĩkũyũ Heritage: Exploring the Rich History and Traditions of the Agĩkũyũ People

Chief Kinyanjui in the 1890's The period in which Kinyanjui wa Gathirimu entered the history books is the 1890’s with his demise in 1929. This was in the territory of the now famous Chief Waiyaki wa Hinga. At the time, what became the British protectorate belonged to a company – The Imperial British East African Company (IBEA). From the early days of Swahili and Arab traders, Waiyaki’s Kihingo (fortified Village), was a sort of supermarket. Caravans stopped over to trade with the kikuyu near the later location of a fort . Fort Smith was established when it became imperative to protect caravans on the Uganda Road and later the Uganda Railway besides acquiring provisions for the long journeys to and from the coast. The fort was established by Eric Smith in 1891, after the earlier one at Dagoretti (Kiawariua) was abandoned by Wilson following continuous harassment. As soon as he left for Machakos, the fort was razed down by the Kikuyu. Trading before the IBEA company Before the ...

Who Was Waiyaki wa Hinga? Little is known of this Kikuyu Chief who saw the transition from self government of the Kikuyu to colonial domination first by the Imperial British East African Company followed by the crown of the British Empire. Wa Hinga means that his father was called Hinga. Muriuki in his book on the History of the kikuyu tells us that Waiyaki’s father was called Kumale ole lemotaka – a hinga, since he could masquerade as either Kikuyu or Maasai. Hinga is a Kikuyu name for men that may have two different meanings, depending on the circumstances. a. Hinga – a person of mixed Maasai and Kikuyu blood who is fluent in both languages, or any person is able to speak both Kikuyu and one other African language. b. Hinga - A hypocrite; someone who does not show true feelings or intentions. " " The hidden entrances to Kikuyu fortified villages in forest fringes were called ‘Ihingo,’ – gates. Chief Waiyaki’s home area was at the border with the Maasai and had several forti...