Overview

This book represents among the first and few indigenous thorough attempt to systematically gather and analyze the historical traditions of the Kikuyu people. It reveals that, contrary to popular belief, the genealogies of the mbarĩ (kinship groups) serve as a far more reliable source of historical evidence than the widely circulated myths of origin, which largely lack historical value. These genealogies suggest that the Kikuyu are a complex amalgamation of various groups from a wide region. By studying the Kikuyu society, structured around kinship groups and the mariika system, the book demonstrates how this society was shaped by the nature of their initial migration and settlement patterns. The mariika system, which facilitated manpower for public duties, education, and social control, played a central role in organizing Kikuyu life. It was a society marked by strong competition, high spirituality and democratic values. The book also examines the Kikuyu's relationships with neighboring peoples, showing that the interactions between the Kikuyu and their neighbors, including the Maasai, Kamba and other groups around Mount Kenya, were fundamentally similar. The Kikuyu's negative reputation is traced to the Kamba and coastal traders, whose portrayal of the Kikuyu led to lasting tensions and misunderstandings with outsiders. The falsehoods that were spread to foreigners were intended to prevent the kikuyu from accessing coastal trade with the Omani Arabs and later the Portuguese that the Kamba had dominated for many moons. They feared, albeit rightly, that the kikuyu, with their women's aggressive business acumen, will take over business from them. They in fact eventually did exactly that. Finally, the establishment of British rule is explored, focusing on the violent imposition of colonial authority and the profound and lasting majorely negative impact of Western civilization on the Kikuyu way of life.

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