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

  Kikuyu people: Ceremony of the second birth Routledge, writing in the early 1900s, noted that all the Kikuyu clans in his locality took their male children through a ceremony that re-enacted a birth. He termed it appropriately ‘second birth’ and was perplexed by it. He noted that “the symbolical second birth is perhaps the most mysterious of the Kikuyu rites…” Routledge tried to get to the bottom of the rite, but much as he tried, the Kikuyu would not let him in on it. He even offered to be taken through the rite himself, while his wife offered to be one of the birth attendants. Routledge records that “no amount of bribery or use of personal influence prevailed to permit either of us to witness it.” The European couple was, however, fortunate to have among their servants “natives who have freed themselves from tradition,” who described the procedure, having gone through the ceremony themselves. For those who have read my writings about the Kikuyu having come from ancient Egyp...

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 ...

  Ancient Kikuyu Symbols: Tracing Potential Roots to Egyptian Hieroglyphs Long before the adoption of the Latin alphabet, the Kikuyu people of Central Kenya employed ingenious methods for preserving knowledge and conveying meaning through memory aids and symbolic representations. This article delves into these intriguing early forms of communication, by examining notched sticks, knotted cords, and inscribed symbols. It also explores the potential connections to ancient scripts, including the iconic Egyptian hieroglyphs. Writing falls into two major categories: mnemonic writing (memory aids without drawn designs) and symbolic representation (painted and drawn designs). 1. Mnemonic Writing: Memory Aids Without Drawn Designs This first method relies on memory aids to communicate with oneself or others. ·         Notched Sticks: This Method Records Debts and Livestock History . Michael Waweru (mutigairi – meaning the late) informed me that t...

   Wangu wa Makeri Introduction In the annals of colonial Kenya, leadership was largely a male domain. Yet, Wangu wa Makeri stands out as a remarkable figure – the first Kikuyu woman to hold the esteemed position of chief in living memory. This account offers a unique window into her life, moving beyond legend through an intimate interview with her grandson, James Makeri Muchiri, a retired teacher who holds the key to a more personal understanding of this pioneering leader. Who was Wangu wa Makeri? Wangu wa Makeri was the first Kikuyu female leader in living memory. This hub will bring fresh insight into the life of Wangu wa Makeri, the first woman chief in colonial Kenya. Some people have the mistaken belief that Wangu ruled the Kikuyu during the legendary era when the Kikuyu were ruled by women. According to the legend, the women, who were also great fighters, were tricked and overthrown by men who have continued to take charge of tribal affairs to this day. This is far from...