Welcome to Maai Mahiu Secondary School!

Welcome to Maai Mahiu Secondary School! Our school was established in 1998 by the parents of the neighboring primary school. From humble beginnings, it has grown into a large and thriving school. Our school has 6 classrooms, a computer lab, and a science lab. Currently we have over 500 students enrolled in Form 1 to 4 (grades 9 through 12), and we are planning to separate into two schools - a boys' school and a girls' school. On this blog you will find posts from Maai Mahiu Secondary School and partners from around the world. Read and enjoy!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

THE AGIKUYU

It is believed that they came from Mt. Kirinyaga which is currently named Mt. Kenya
According to their mythical way of creation, God who is referred as ‘Ngai’ took a man ‘Gikuyu’ (from which the tribe got its name) on to the top of Mt. Kenya and showed him all land around, and promised to give him the land if only he could live there. Ngai told then told Gikuyu that whenever he would need something, he should make a sacrifice and God would adhere to his troubles.
He was then given a wife called ‘Mumbi’ (referring to God as the creator) of whom they had nine beautiful daughters (where the naming of the nine clans is derived)
They had no sons and so God provided nine handsome men to be husbands of the nine daughters and it’s from there that the tribe of gikuyu developed and they mainly live around Mt. Kenya.

Social activities of the Agikuyu
Men usually ask for hand in marriage and Dowry is paid.
Boys are circumcised to attain adulthood
Once a boy got circumcised, he was allowed to take part in the community activities
Political organisation
They were nine clans, each with an elder
The elders formed the council of elders from which a paramount chief was chosen
The council of elders decided on matters affecting the community

Economic activities
They were cultivators
They traded with neighbouring communities
They kept livestock (a tradition borrowed from the nilotes)
Women used to make ‘shiondos’ baskets

No comments:

Post a Comment