KIKUYU CULTURE & TRADITIONS

Kenya is famous for its 42 cultures, but other than the nomadic Maasai and Samburu, not many of these are widely known to the outside world. A new cultural centre devoted to the Kikuyu, Kenya’s largest offers a unique experience of this tradition rich culture existing in a modern world. Riuki Cultural Centre is located not far outside of Nairobi, in the Kikuyu Heartland of Kiambu. The centre is run by Dr. Kinuthia Njoroge, who wanted to build a traditional Kikuyu village homestead to show local children the history and customs of their community. The Kikuyu are the largest community in Kenya, and have always played a central role in the development of the independent Nation. For this reason, many may believe that modern influence has eroded the traditional way of life for this community, who mainly live around the capital city and the highlands. But as Riuki demonstrates, this is not the case. While the traditional huts and ceremonies may be displays of a proud history, many of the same beliefs and customs persist in modern life. In cuisine, music, marriage and everyday family life, most Kenyan Kikuyus still hold true to their identity. It is this pride that Riuki strives to encourage and strengthen, with its own blend of the modern and traditional. Now visitors to Kenya can come to Riuki and spend a day learning more about this little known culture. Welcomed to the centre by a group of elders, all of whom live in the local area, guests are welcomed in true Kikuyu style, with an invitation to drink from a horn filled with Muratina, a locally brewed drink. There is a tour of a traditionally built hut with an explanation of how the traditional society operated. Communities always remained bound by strict and strong ties of clan loyalty and an even stronger sense of tribal unity - There was an age set system among young men, known as Mariika, but all clans and villages (itura) always paid deference to the wisdom and law of the tribe. At Riuki, traditional songs, proverbs and dances bring the myths and legends of the Kikuyu to life. According to Kikuyu mythology, all of creation began at the summit of Mount Kenya. The icy peak was the realm of Ngai, the Supreme Creator, who descended from the heavens to his mountainous throne to survey his newly created lands. The mountain became Kirinyaga, his resting place, and it was from here that he called forth Gikuyu, the father of the Kikuyu people. Ngai told him that all of the lands around Kirinyaga would be the home of Gikuyu and his children forever. He sent Gikuyu to grove of Fig trees, where he found a woman called Mumbi. This grove would become known as Mukuru wa Nyagathanga, the birthplace of all Kikuyu, still revered as a sacred place. Among the fig trees, Gikuyu and Mumbi produced nine daughters- Wanjiku, Wanjiru, Wanjeri, Wambui, Wangari, Wacera, Waithera, Wairimu, and Nyambura. (Traditionally all Kikuyu girls should be given one of these names) The girls grew into beautiful young women, who each full moon wandered the lands around Kirinyaga in search of men so that they could bear children. They begged their father to appeal to Ngai for help. Finally he bowed before the Mountain, and Ngai commanded him to make sacrifice among the figs and light a fire. The sacrifice of a goat beneath a fig tree is still considered a way to call rain in times of drought, but in this first case it was a different form of life sustaining rain that Gikuyu sought. After the sacrifice he plunged nine sticks into a fire, and prayed. The fire erupted into an inferno, from which nine strong young men emerged. Giving thanks, Gikuyu took them back to his daughters, and the nine marriages were blessed by Ngai. Each of the daughters made her own homestead, and nine separate clans of the Kikuyu were born. the unity of these clans was known as the Nyumba ya Mumbi, in honour of their Mother. The peak of Kirinyaga has since remained the sacred home of Ngai. As at Riuki, all Kikuyu homesteads were traditionally built to face this Holy Mountain. A group of local women come to the centre to perform for visitors, with a series of dances traditionally performed at weddings and initiations and to sing songs. These are simple love and courting songs, traditional hunting songs and chants used when going to work in the fields. The highlands of Kenya are rich fertile land, and this is a great farming culture- with a great cuisine that has grown from freshly grown vegetables. The highlight of the day is a chance to sample a typical Kikuyu meal- delicious healthy food including sweet potatoes, Githeri (a maize and bean stew), Mukimo (a mashed combination of green peas and potato) with roasted goat and Irio, a great Kikuyu favourite. There are also displays of traditional medicine, healing and divination. Riuki can arrange extended programs to visit local farms and schools, or even to spend the night under the stars by a campfire on a traditional banana fibre mat, or to spend the night in a specially arranged homestay in a typical Kikuyu home. For anyone with a free day in Nairobi, the Riuki Cultural Centre is an excellent way to discover more about another culture, and make many new friends along the way. BY RUTH CHEGE AND REGINA MBAU.

TANZANIA CULTURE

Tanzania culture is quite rich and has contributed a lot in the development and advancement of the country. The diversity of Tanzania culture appeals to a large number of people coming from distant areas across the globe.

The various forms of Tanzania culture are language, painting, sculpture, national anthem, popular dance music and art.

The most important contribution towards the culture of Tanzania has been done by the language. More than 100 languages are spoken in this country. After the independence, the government of the country found it very difficult to administer. So it introduced Swahili language as the official language. The literature of Tanzania is no less enriched. Some eminent writers of Tanzanian literature are Shafi Adam Shafi, Chachage Seith Chachage, Amandina Lihamba, Edwin Semzaba,Penina Muhando Mlama and Euphrase Kezilahabi. "Mungu Ibariki Afrika" is the national Anthem of Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The national Anthem helps in strengthening the unity among the people so that they can usher in an era of all round national development.

Makonde sculpture is quite famous in Tanzania and few noted Tanzanian painters are Stephen Ndebalema, Elias Jengo and Mohammad Raza. Among the painting styles, Tingatinga painting deserves mention. Bongoflava has represented the new genre of music in the country. Various music bands like Ottu and Sikinde are also much popular.
                  

 

 

 

                                                                 By Ruth Chege

MEALS IN BOTSWANA

                                       


Did you know that sorghum/corn meal porridge is the staple food of most Botswana meals which is reffered to as Bogobe in their language, people wake up just to have a thinner version of porridge, sometimes enriched with soured milk and/or sugar and tea.Bogobe is also taken with meat and vegetables for dinner meals,and the evening meals in Botswana include; tea and buttered bread for most of the people while others take midday leftovers as their supper.Rice is considered as the most expensive meal and is associated with the Europeans.

Meat meals in Botswana include;Beef,Mutton,Chicken, Caterpillar(phane),mophane worms and other various wild game animals.Beef is most consumed followed by Goat meat and Chicken, the traditional grown chicken is more preffered than the commercial grown chicken such that when a visitor is served with it he/she gives hospitality.

Popular dishes include;Serobe in which intestines and some inside parts of goats,sheeps,or cow are cooked until soft if the animal is sheep/goat ,the troffers are included.seswaa,or chotlho is very popular meat dish made for most special occassions usually prepared by men,it is cooked in a three-legged iron pot, simmered until soft,with only salt and water.Marula and Watermelons which is believed that it is originally from Botswana and plentiful in season.There are wild melons found in sandy desert areas which are important food and water source for the people who live in those areas.Many vegetables here are seasonal and are often dried or salted for presevation.



　

                                                                                                             BY AMWAYI MAURINE

KIKUYU TRADITIONAL CULTURE

             Kenya is one of the countries in Africa with many tribes.This tribes include:Kikuyu,kamba,luo,kalenjin,meru,mijikenda,among others.One of the largest tribe is the Agikuyu.
            According to their beliefs,the Agikuyu believed that they originated from two people;Gikuyu and Mumbi,who they believed they were created by God and they were placed around mount Kirinyaga(mount Kenya).God blessed them with nine daughters,who are the nine clans of Agikuyu.
    The nine daughters we
                                                                Wanjiku is the mother to Anjiku clan
                                                                Wanjiru is the mother of Anjiru clan
                                                                Wambui is the mother of the Ambui clan
                                                                Wangui or Waithiegeni is the mother of Angui or  
                                                                Waithira orWangeci is the mother of Aithirandu or
                                                                                            Angeci clan                                          
                                                                Waceera or Wanjeri is the of   Aceera       
                                                                Nyambura or    Akiuru or Ethaga is the mother
                                                                              ofEthaga
                                                                Wairimu or Gathiigia is the mother of Airimu
                                                                      orAgathiaga clan
                                                                Wangari or Muithekahuno is the mother of Angari or
                                                                              Aithekahuno
                                                               Wamuyu or Warigia was the last born to Gikuyu and
                                                                           and is  the mother of Aicakamuyu Warigia or
                                                                           Wanjugu clan


The nine daughters of Gikuyu and Mumbi

                                                                                
                                                            
                                                           
       As you notice the clans are ten and not nine as per the number of daughters.Gakaara wa Wanjau writes in his book Mihiriga ya Agikuyu (1967) that,Even if the Kikuyu say that their clans are nine,there is a well known secret that the clans are ten.The Kikuyu have lived in the taboo of counting people and domestic animals one to ten,and because of this they do not agree to state that their clans are ten because they believe tha doing this will bring their demise.Instead of stating ten they say "kenda muiyuru" (nine full)
     The last daughter of Gikuyu and Mumbi did not get married.

                      By Ruth Chege and Regina Wairimu