Kikuyu

Location: While the Kikuyu can be found throughout Kenya, the heaviest concentration being in Central Province, known as the traditional Kikuyu homeland. They traditionally identify their land as bounded by these mountains or ranges: Mt. Kenya (which they call Kirinyaga — the shining mountain), Ol Donyo Sapuk, the Ngong Hills and the Aberdare (Nyandarua) Range. Many Kikuyus also live in Uganda and Tanzania, some having risen to national leadership. History: The Kikuyu traditionally believe that

Aspects of current Kikuyu culture were molded by modern demands impressed upon them by British colonization. British colonists brought western ideas about living standards and health care, as well as projecting British ideals of family life upon the Kikuyu people. In the 1950’s, as a reaction to this imposition of western beliefs and practices upon the people of Kenya, the Mau Mau began to fight the existing British infrastructure. This uprising was a final divide in the Kikuyu tribe based on the

The Kikuyu Conforming to Christianity Jomo Kenyatta’s ethnography, Facing Mt. Kenya was written in the 1930’s about Kikuyu society during 1890-1910, the early years of British colonialism in Kenya. Since the coming of the early colonization the Kikuyu people have tried to develop a religious attitude that would define it’s own culture while adapting forcefully to the European conforms of religion. The preconceived European ideas about the African natives were unjust and unsubstantiated. The

society having a technological advantage over another society, and imposing their will either through conquest or assimilation. In Mike Resnick’s novel Kirinyaga, the topic of European colonial assimilation is explored through a tale of a group of Kikuyu settlers on a new planet named Kirinyaga. The people of Kirinyaga experience the assimilation in three ways through direct control, cultural examples, and technological temptation. The people of Kirinyaga are only allowed to live on the planet, thanks

For this assignment I chose to write about Jomo Kenyatta. After reading chapters three and four of Khapoya’s book, it was hard to imagine an Africa that wasn’t under colonial rule. I can only comprehend on a very basic level the impact colonialism had on the Africans economically, physically, and mentally. It is inspiring to read further and discover the immense, calculated, and passionate efforts that many Pan African leaders played in the years that followed. I found Jomo Kenyatta to be particularly

pave the liberation's way). No wonder Ngugi considers Mau Mau fighters as symbols of resistance because they suffered for getting freedom and liberation. (Ngugi. Detained1981: 111) The myth is directly linked to the Kikuyu legend of Gikuyu and Mumbi, the founding ancestors of the Kikuyu community. The story tells that Gikuyu, the founder of the tribe and Munkuyu, also called Marugu created Gikuyu and Mumbi under the big tree, situated in

In a time of ruthless dictators, Jomo Kenyatta was one of the most influential and controversial leaders of his time. In 1947, Jomo Kenyatta was elected the leader of the Kenya African Union or KAU, a pro-independence rebel group. For the next three years, Jomo Kenyatta toured Kenya, campaigning for independence. In 1951, The Mau Mau Rebellion, a conflict between the Mau Mau protesters and the British Military began. In response, the British declared a state of emergency and banned the KAU. Jomo

intervention and richly illustrates the interference of the pre-colonial tranquil tribal life style at the hand European missionaries and colonizers . Apart from the novel’s primary language of publication we see Ngugi’s nationalist mindset through the Kikuyu people and their actions throughout the historical fiction. The issues of cultural and national identity are made obvious which tie into Ngugi’s perspective towards the Europeans. Furthermore, through the protagonist Waiyaki, we are further able

ethnic groups; the Bantus, Nilotes and Cushites. These three groups all have different religious and cultural practices (“Cultures of The World, Kenya”). Although diverse, Kenya is mainly constituted of Bantus with the majority of them coming from the Kikuyu tribe. Other major groups include the Luo, Maasai and Kalenjin. Kenya is very lush and is mainly cool which attracted the interest of European explorers. Countries such as Britain steadily increased their influence in the area by introducing missionaries

belief that all things have a soul or spirit. Traditional beliefs also come into conflict with European religions due to the practice of polygamy. Many of the ethnic groups believe in the common element of ancestral spirits between man and god. The Kikuyu, who are the majority of citizens, with several other groups worship the god Nagi who resides on the top of Mt. Kenya. (everyculture, n.d.). Traditional dance is an important part of Kenyan culture as is in many other African cultures. The women