Every Child Has a Right to Free Education, which also means free text books. After guiding and vetting publishers, evaluated books are selected for free distribution to schools, but a big proportion of money meant for books is misappropriated along the way.
This article clears the air with a humourous look at ugali's place in the modern East African kitchen.
Githeri is a simple well balanced meal that unites households and starts heated conversations. Its preparation is an epic saga of patience, and its flavors are out of this world. Open your home to its sights and scents and embed it in your culinary routine with no regrets.
The Kikuyu and Kamba communities share linguistic and cultural similarities despite living as separate groups today. This article compares some of their clan histories with events in ancient Egypt in a bid to get clues about when exactly the split between them first occurred.
The Kikuyu of Kenya have lost many of their traditions with the advent of Christianization, Islam and the overwhelming effects of a global village. Some lost traditions would still have served them well in modern living. However, they have lost some that have no relevance in modern society today.
Malindi is the second largest town on the Kenyan Coast after Mombasa. Its Swahili people have a rich history, of contact with Chinese, Indian, Persian and Arab traders. Malindi is an archeologists and tourists paradise with ancient ruins and the best beaches in the world. Malindi, here I come!
Light hand weights, resistance bands and yoga are three easy low-impact home exercises for seniors. Weights improve upper body strength while bands offer full body exercise through gestures. Yoga stretches and strengthens muscles with poses to boost balance and flexibility.
bullying negatively impacts both bullies and victims socially, psychologically and academically. It effects may even manifest in adulthood. But through collaborative efforts between teachers and parents, it can be contained. Repeat offenders should face strong disciplinary action such as expulsion.
Aging is inevitable. However, balanced nutrition and well-planned exercises can delay age related symptoms. Target muscle that include the core, thighs, hips, and back. These are crucial for preventing falls in seniors. Daily, gentle routines can make a big difference in the health of the elderly.
Knock out sugar from all your drinks by taking advantage of a wide range of nature’s flavors - From dried and fresh fruits to aromatic herbs, roasted roots, bark extracts and mushrooms. Now seniors can explore alternatives to tea and coffee to satisfy cravings, nourish health and energize sugar free
Nuts and seeds offer great health benefits when eaten in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet. These nutrient-dense foods support heart and brain health while potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. They provide healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and much more.
Nutrition plays an important role in a senior's health and longevity. Research-backed guidelines regarding protein intake, nutrient-dense snacks, healthy fats and limiting processed foods can help optimize nutrition for seniors. Staying properly hydrated is also vital to promote healthy aging.
Graying is normal in the aging process. Embrace it as a milestone in your life cycle as you focus more on your health. Avoid societal pressures that value youth at the expense of old age. Grey hair simply reflects the wisdom and experiences you've gained through the years you've lived.
The word Kikuyu is an anglicized form of Gĩkũyũ - the name of the community, the language and the patriarch from whom they all descend. Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi had "the full nine" daughters. Why did the community create an unbelievable story when there are indications of migration from up North ?
Cult leaders convince their members not to go to hospital and Instead rely on prayer healing. This rejection of modern science, disposal of one's earthly property leading to suicides and murder is most baffling.
Public transport in Nairobi consists primarily of privetly owned buses, Matatus (vans and minibuses), and motorcycles popularly called Bodaboda. Nairobi has over 10 different online hailing taxis such as Uber and Bolt. There is a commuter rail operating in some parts of the city at fixed hours.
Cultural Festivals are usually held annually or biannually and are important for the celebration of culture and heritage. Some of the elements of a cultural festival are the customs, myths, and oral traditions, cuisine, costumes, and music of the communities that participate.
Meinertzhagen's treatment of Africans make him stick out like a sore thumb. In his era, the British administrators of the part of the East African Protectorate, that was to become Kenya, were trying to ‘pacify’ Africans and take their land. Meinertzhagen killed them and took their livestock as well.
A Kikuyu boy's major training from early childhood was on how to become a brave shepherd. For this reason, from around the age of seven, they spent a considerable time with their fathers to learn the basics of animal husbandry. The boy would first be trained on taking care of little lamps and kids.
Trader Kivui is reported to have given the name of the mountain as “Kinyaa.” Krapf transcribed name in the Roman alphabet as Kegnia later varying to Kenia. The British settled on Kenya and the name lived to see an independent country, Kenya.
Governance among the Kikuyu was by councils of elders at different levels and though some men could rise to positions that mirror that of a Chief, they did not have hereditary chiefs or Kings. In their form of democracy one generation was in power, while the other waited for a smooth handing over.
The Kikuyu believed in one God, Ngai, also known as Mwenenyaga. Their religion was not separate from the ordinary lives of the people.
Pastoralism supports over 9million of Kenya’s population of 50 million and contributes 28% of all meat that is consumed. The animals are used as currency to purchase goods and services, as bride price other cultural obligations. However, it needs to adapt to remain relevant and sustainable.
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and is host to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) at Gigiri. It is a paradise; a city that did not exist before 1899. It owes its existence to the Uganda Railway whose construction had started at the port of Mombasa in 1896.
In many developing countries, the youth comprise of more than 60 percent of the of the entire population. Creating jobs continuously will not only alleviate the social problems that come with unemployment, but will also help the countries to develop faster. This article has several suggestions.
Wajir is the 8th County of Kenya. The majority of its citizens speak Somali, a language that is spoken in the state of Somalia and some parts of Ethiopia. The economy is driven by pastoralism with camels being their most prized animals besides cattle sheep and goats.
The Kafala system was created to supply cheap labor to meet the demands of the fast growing economies of the oil-rich Middle East. The system gives the employer power to detain the worker until the end of the contract period, leading to abuse and denial of basic human rights.
Ougadougou is the largest city and capital of Burkina Faso, the land of the upright people, which literally means incorruptible. The official language is French but the most widely spoken language is Moore of the Mossi. This is a leafy city with wide roads and large monuments, worth your visit.
Lamu island on the East African coast has a long history. Some say it has been inhabited since the 1300s, but evidence points to a much earlier period. This palm fringed island has no vehicles, just donkeys for transport and an enviable culture. No wonder it is a magnet for tourists and locals alike
The desert locust causes destruction of enormous proportions to farmland and pasture. Chemical control methods can cause damage to the environment. However, there are biological control methods that can be adopted early to minimize this damage. Besides, locusts can be included in the human diet.
President Moi led Kenya into ruin for a lengthy 24 years from 1978 to 2002. In one quarter he is praised as a father figure who did everything to preserve peace at home and in the region. In another quarter he is a tyrant that trampled on people's rights as he ruined a previously robust economy.
The coastal city of Dar-es-Salaam is the largest in the Republic of Tanzania. It was the capital at independence but this honor has since gone to Dodoma. As a port, it is a fast growing city with attractive beaches, first class hotels and therefore a major tourist attraction.
Proverbs express a people's wisdom mostly through their way of life and experience. These proverbs are a small fraction of the one thousand proverbs that were compiled by G. Barra. They show how timeless human wisdom is and how it cuts across cultures.
During the wet season, donkeys in the Ole Tepesi area have a meeting every day on the main road in the thousands.
A landlord is the owner of a rented house, apartment or even land. The best landlord is the one you never get to see. The second best is the one you see once a year. That way, your problems are postponed for 12 months. Most tenants have understandably a love hate relationship with their landlords.
The year 2023 marked 60 years after Kenya’s independence. This article commemorates that milestone by highlighting the thoughts of the founding father of the nation on that day.
The ancestor who speaks in this poem was last appeased before the coming of Europeans and western culture in Kikuyu land.
The Kenyan economy is bulging with numerous new opportunities for investors. Many existing sectors merely require improved efficiency and better public relations to compete with other global giants.
Rabbit keeping is fast catching on. This form of animal husbandry is termed “emerging livestock,” in the same class as quails and guinea fowl. Here's how Keep them healthy on foods other than pellets.
The science of making and using biogas from cowdung has been in the public domain for a while. The design and its variations are so simple that anybody can adopt them without spending a fortune. Here I present to you a practical use of the technology, even if you have only one cow.
The Thagichu appear in Kikuyu myths as their ancestors. However, variants of this word appears in other Bantu and non Bantu communities. In this hub, I include the Osu of Nigeria - read on.
Joseph Murumbi, Kenya's second Vice President after independence was a freedom fighter and a prolific collector whose legacy is the Murumbi Collection of African art and rare books.
Due to the fast pace of modern life and the expenses that would accrue in lengthy ceremonies, what is practiced today is an abridged version of what Kikuyu ancestors considered adequate.
Art, just like music and dance is a form of communication. Art is guided by certain principles, which when applied consciously, will enhance the quality of the art project.
The Kikuyu value bananas as a food item and recognize several varieties. They knew the nutritional value of bananas and used them as the baby’s first solid food. Some varieties are cooked before they ripen to make a delicious meal. This hub presents 15 varieties known to the Kikuyu.
Known also as God’s land, the land of Punt supplied Ancient Egypt with Frankinsense, Myrrh and other valuable produce of the land. The island was visited numerous times by the Pharaos of Ancient Egypt. The most famous trip to Punt by a reigning...
This legend informs us that we should not forget where we came from when we make it in life. Most important is the fact that we never make it without other people's help. We should recognise the input of others and never ever ridicule them.
Milk is a life giving liquid produced by all female mammals after giving birth to young ones. It is therefore primarily intended to be the first item on the menu of any baby, calf, puppy or whatever else the young is called. The very first issue of milk, called colostrum gives the baby immunity...
Art is a universal language. It is understoond by all in every corner of the world. If you understand the basic vocabularly more deeply than just the natural occurence, you will enjoy art even more. For artists, these basic vocabulary puts you more squarely in the driving seat of your artistic...
Many sculptors choose to work with plasticine for their models. It is easy to model with tools and bare hands. Plasticine can be used over and over for years.
The Luo of Kenya and Tanzania are a Nilotic-speaking people whose main occupations are fishing, farming, and animal husbandry. In this article, you will learn the basics of their language.
Marking 40 scripts with essay type questions may take you three hours at the very least. Marking more than 100 scripts could be draining both mentally and physically. This is aggravated by the fact that the teacher still has to prepare for classes and actually teach besides marking continuous...
Impossible as it may first sound, the Ankh in the name Tutankhamen has survived in languages spoken today. One of these languages is English. The other languages are in Africa. Maybe by probing further, we may find more languages with vestiges of the ‘Ankh.’
We say ‘as dead as a Dodo because we hunted the Dodo to extinction three centuries ago. If we are not careful, there will a long list of extinct animals in less than 20 years to come - no elephants, lions or rhinos except replicas in museums. Imagine that!
The Kikuyu people are predominantly Christian. This makes the Lord's Prayer very important in the lives of every member. Most have committed it to memory. It is translated here using the commonest version.
There are a total of 1133 bird species recorded in Kenya. Out of this number, 7 are endemic to Kenya and 6 have been introduced from outside. Only one species is known to have become extinct. In this hub, we shall look at the African Purple Gallinule -Porphyrio alba madagascariensis, and...
To the ancients, Rock Art was a medium like modern Newspapers and Television. Evidence in rock art indicates that at one time the Sahara was habitable and home to fishermen, hunters and herdsmen in separate epochs. With that medium, ancient men and women recorded for posterity the important...
Kaimati are made by the people of Eastern Africa to take with their tea or coffee. You do not need any special skills to make them. This hub will take you step by step on how to make these tasty snacks. Besides, you can improvise once you understand the simple technique.
Is it possible that some words in European, Bantu and Nilotic languages have an ancient history that is thousands of years old. This hub will show you how that is possible, with a few examples.
Before colonisation by the British, the Kikuyu used a certain plant with feathery leaves and a great scent the way we use toilet paper today. They called it maigoya. Its scientific name is Plectrunthus barbatus.
Paint is a simple application that comes free with your Windows. With a little practice you can create images to rival those done with expensive software, and most people will not notice the difference.
In kikuyu, a sentence can inform you whether something will happen later today or tomorrow and into the future by only a slight modification of the verb. The past has four tense forms to mean 1. A moment ago, 2. early today, 3. Yesterday and 4. Day before yesterday - Example: ria (eat) 1. Waria 2....
Every morning at tea time, teachers have a chance to meet and inquire on each other’s health. A feeling of belonging to a family is fostered and it is not unusual to refer to each other as brothers and sisters. If a teacher misses for one day, it is noticed immediately.
How much money you will need when you retire will be determined by the lifestyle your will want to maintain. How much money do you use per week currently? In future you will need more when you take inflation into account. You can plan to change your lifestyle to account for inflation and a reduced...
Francis Hall was born in India in 1860. Around this time, traders, missionaries and slave trade abolitionists were beginning to pay attention to East Africa. About 20 years earlier, Ludwig Krapf had made contacts with the Kamba and ventured in the interior as far as present day Kitui.
The simple numbers in Kikuyu are as follows: 1. Ĩmwe 2. Igĩrĩ 3. Ithatũ 4. Inya 5. Ithano 6. Ithathatũ 7. Mũgwanja 8. Inyanya 9. Kenda 10. Ikũmi But there is more to numbers than this. Each of the words above changes slightly depending on the noun class.
Akhenaten was the Pharaoh credited with starting Monotheism in 18th Dynasty Egypt. Here, we shall be more concerned with his grandmother called Mutemwiya (spelled as Mutemwaya by some writers).
Publishers and authors all over the world have a lukewarm relationship, yet one cannot do without the other. I have since learned that two years is only two days in the publishing world.
In 3100 BC, King Menes moved North from the South of Egypt probably from an area that is in today’s East Africa.and conquered the Delta.The Hieroglyph that identifies him has a mud-fish.The Kikuyu call a leader a Mũthamaki - The word is intriguing because it no doubt has the same roots as the...
The cow has always been very important to Africans. Here are some of the ways it is used in Africa.
A good teacher prepares Work Plans at the beginning of the term or semester... prepares Lesson Plans for each month (week, or day)...arrives on time...has a sense of humour...understands the individual limitations of the students...works as a team player with fellow teachers...
Kinyanjui belonged to the initiation age set called ‘Njenga.’ Kinyanjui had been banished from his home area in Githunguri for some transgression which caused him to relocate to Southern Kikuyu. Muriuki gives his origin as Kandara. It is not clear at which point he joined Waiyaki’s company as a...
The nucleus of the people called Kikuyu today came from the land of Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten. They used the Ethiopia route to get to Mount Kenya. According to evidence from power handing over ceremony described below, it took less than thirty (30) years for the first...
Before the rite of circumcision, Kikuyu boys went through a ceremony of second birth.
The goat was a very important animal to the Kikuyu people of Kenya. In pre-colonial times, most people had only sheep and goats to meet all tribal obligations that required payment. It was the rich man who had cows. The goat was the ‘legal tender.’ When one required the services of the medicine, or...
The Kikuyu language is one of the most archaic of the Bantu group. It is spoken by about 20% of the Kenya population, mainly in Central Province and the Rift Valley.
The technology to transport and arrange the stones of the Stonehenge monument was from Africa, in Ancient Egypt.
Running is invigorating and a great way to keep fit. You don’t need to be a member of a club to run. Running a Marathon is also prestigious for finishers, not just winners. So if you run a half marathon, plan to finish and add that feather to your hat.
More than half of those with an aquarium hate the cleaning process. That is why after much enthusiasm at the beginning, it is usual to see an aquarium that has turned green. This need not be the case. You can learn to clean an aquarium quickly efficiently and enjoy the process.
Here’s how to make your own fish tank. Start with a manageable size until you have sufficient experience to maintain a large one. Making a small or large tank isn’t that much different though. The information here is for a 15” X 9” X 9” inches
Kisumu is Kenya's third largest city after Nairobi and the port City of Mombasa. It is the second largest in the Lake Victoria basin, after Kampala in Uganda. Kisumu’s origins as a town can be traced to the arrival of the Uganda Railway in 1901 from the port of Mombasa. The train went into service...
Robert T. Coryndon was a colonial governor of Uganda and Kenya. On February 10, 1925, Coryndon passed away in Nairobi. In 1929, the Kenyan colonial government allocated land in Nairobi for a museum in his memory. It was officially opened on September 22, 1930, as The Coryndon Museum. It was renamed...
You can easily hatch your own Chicken eggs if you have the patience to wait for twenty-one days.
Wangu wa Makeri was the first Kikuyu female leader in living memory. This post will bring fresh insight into the life of Wangu wa Makeri, the first woman chief in Colonial Kenya. A grandchild of the legendary leader agreed to a candid interview.
Chief Wangombe was the son of a Kikuyu man and a Maasai woman. He was born in Tetu, at Kamakwa near present day Nyeri Town. His father and therefore the whole family belonged to the Ambui clan, of Thiukui Mbari.
Wangare Maathai recognized the value of trees. She founded the Green belt movement and through her examples, she has caused millions of trees to be planted all over the world. Read on to see what she shares with Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The world is greener because of her.
The Akamba language has some of the most archaic word roots in the Bantu family. Its strong relationship with Kikuyu is not in doubt since the two languages are intelligible.
The Kikuyu diet was mainly from agricultural produce. They kept cattle and goats, but mainly for ritual purposes and as a currency for the purchase of goods and the payment of dowry. Like in the Maasai community, the Kikuyu were forbiden from eating wild animals. It was also taboo to eat fish and...
Chief Karũri wa Gakure was born in Gathigiyo, in the district of Iyigo. His father was from the Angare clan while his mother was actually called Wangare. In 1915, Chief Karuri fell gravely ill and requested to be baptisedby the Reverend Perlo and On 16th May 1916, the great Paramount Chief Karuri...
The Kikuyu are a Bantu ethnic group native to Central Kenya known for musical instruments like the gechande (a rattle), the wandindi (a kind of banjo), and metal jingles used during choral dances.
This article explains how the Kalenjin people name their children and the meanings of the names.
God made Gĩkũyũ and his wife Mũmbi and placed them near Mount Kenya at a place called Mũkũrwe wa Gathanga. Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi had nine daughters - Wanjirũ, Wambũi, Njeri, Wanjikũ, Nyambũra, Wairimũ, Waithĩra, Wangarĩ, and the last one was Wangũi. These are the founders of the nine clans of the Kikuyu.
The Kikuyu people of Kenya have a very specific way of naming children. Here's a list of Kikuyu names and meanings for boys.
The Kisii, also called Gusii are a highland Bantu agriculturalist community like the Kikuyu. The proto Kisii entered western Kenya from Uganda to the foothills of Mount Elgon.
Writing falls into two major categories: 1.When there is no painted or drawn design. 2. When there is a design that has been painted or drawn. This post will look at the ways that the Kikuyu kept their records.
Many black scholars have documented this falsification since the 1800’s. Cheikh Anta Diop is a modern scholar of comparative studies between Egypt and black Africans. John Henrik Clarke, in a review of one of Cheikh Anta Diop’s book online states that, “In the chapter called, ‘Birth of the Negro...
Gĩkũyũ is written with seven vowels. Two of the additional vowels are i-tilde (ĩ) and u-tilde (ũ). These are: a (low /central), e (ɛ mid-low/front), i (high/front), ĩ (e mid-high/front), o (ɔ mid-low /back), u (high/back), ũ (o mid-high/back).
All names for trees in Kikuyu start with Mũ, the prefix for nouns that have a spirit such as a person - Mũndũ. Trees therefore belong to the first class of nouns just like humans and should be accorded due respect. The list below is by no means exhaustive. It is compiled with the help of...
Scarification is the process of making patterns on the skin by scarring. It was an important form of ornamentation to the Kikuyu.
The Kikuyu claim that their father was called Gikuyu and his wife was called Mumbi. The entire Kikuyu community refers to itself as the 'House of Mumbi.'
The Kikuyu are classified as Bantu, while the Luo are Nilotes. There are major differences between them, but this post will dwell on the similarities. Surprisingly, they are quite a number, which makes one wonder if perhaps there might be a better classification of languages than the one in existenc
Did something that could caused misery and tears happen in the month of Mesore in ancient Egypt? I think so. After Akhenaten’s departure from Egypt, his name was hacked from the monuments and the Phar
Here, you will get a brief background of the Kikuyu people before progressing to the language, its structure, and vocabulary. There are simple dialogues to aid you in conversation practice.
Akhenaten the monotheistic Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty had some influence in Kikuyu culture, language and religion. The evidence is not very obvious but once you see it, it stands out like a white elephant.