Kikuyu Tribe
The Kikuyu tribe is a Bantu tribe that neighbors the Embu, Mbeere and Meru tribes around Mount Kenya.They are Kenya's most popular and the largest ethnic tribe, making up 22 percent of the country's population.The Kikuyus, also known as Gikuyu or Agikuyu, have been known since the colonial times as a tribe that wields a lot of political and economic influence in Kenya.
Kikuyus speak the Kikuyu language, and most of them live around the fertile central highlands and Mount Kenya where they mainly grow tea and coffee.
ORIGIN:
Kikuyus are believed to have come from West Africa along with other
Bantu tribes. They finally settled along Mount Kenya where they began
their main activity of farming the fertile volcanic highlands. Kikuyus
were good friends with the Maasai
and the two tribes often traded goods and inter-married. However, when
the British came to Nairobi, they confiscated some of the Kikuyus'
fertile land, leaving them with only a small piece to cultivate.
Frustrated with the loss of their land and the colonial rule, the
Kikuyus formed a rebellion group, the Mau Mau, and entered into war with the British. This war eventually led to Kenya's independence.
Although many Kikuyus have migrated to the main urban city of Nairobi and other towns, their territories still remain along Mount Kenya and the central highlands, including Nyeri, Muranga, Kiambu, and Kirinyaga regions of Kenya.
Kikuyu language, culture and lifestyle
Today, a majority of the Agikuyu are found in Nairobi and Kenya's
Central Province. Many have also migrated to other Kenyan towns and
cities where they're involved in small business ventures, while others
work in other areas. A good number of Kikuyus have moved onto the west
side of the Rift Valley, into what was traditionally Kalenjin territory.
There they work as large-scale farmers growing major cash crops of tea and coffee.
Due to their history of economic success, the majority of Kikuyus
are well educated. Their ability to adapt to new realities has resulted
in the Kikuyu, including those who live in the rural areas, adopting
many aspects of modern culture. Traditionally, a Kikuyu husband could marry more than one wife if he
could afford to care for them. Paying a dowry (bride price) is still an
important aspect of their culture. Although some of the Kikuyu culture
has eroded, the Kikuyu language is still predominantly spoken,
especially in the urban areas where a majority of people speak English
and Swahili. The Kikuyu language has almost become Kenya's third
language of choice.
When it comes to food, music, marriage ceremonies and everyday
family life, most Kikuyus still uphold their cultural traditions. In
addition to maintaining their economic stability, the Kikuyu tribe have
continued to dominate leadership and politics in Kenya.
The first Kenyan president, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was a Kikuyu; Kenya's third and current president, his Excellency Emilio Mwai Kibaki, is also a Kikuyu and so is the late Professor Wangari Maathai, Africa's first female Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Religion practices
Today, most Kikuyus are Christians, however, like the Maasai and Kamba tribes, Kikuyus traditionally worshipped a single god, Ngai,
who was known as the provider and lived at the top of the mountain.
Kikuyus believed it was their traditional god who started the Kikuyu
tribe by putting on earth a man and woman named Kikuyu and Mumbi. The couple had nine daughters who later married and brought the Kikuyu tribe to life.
Traditional food
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