Kikuyu tribe
Kenya's largest ethnic tribe
The Kikuyu tribe are bantus and neighbors of Embu,
Mbeere and Meru tribes along Mt. Kenya. They are the most popular and largest ethnic tribe of Kenya making up 22% of Kenya's population. The Kikuyus also known as Gikuyu or Agikuyu are known since Kenya's colonial times as a tribe that has wielded alot of political and economic influence in Kenya todate.
Kikuyus speak the Kikuyu language, and most of them live around the fertile central highlands and around the Mt. Kenya where they mainly grow tea and coffee.
History of the Kikuyus
Kikuyus are believed to have come from West African along with other Bantus and finally settled along Mt. Kenya where they began their main activity of farming on the fertile volcanic Kenya highlands. Kikuyus were good friends with the maasais with whom they traded goods and inter-married. But when the British came to Nairobi, they confiscated some of Kikuyu's fertile land, leaving them with only a small piece to cultivate. The Kikuyus, frustrated from loss of land and colonial rule, formed a rebellion group, the Mau Mau which went into war with the British. This war somehow contributed to the independence of Kenya.
Although many Kikuyus have migrated to the main urban cities of Nairobi and other towns, their territories are still along Mt. Kenya and central Kenya highlands including Nyeri, Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga regions of Kenya.
Language, Culture & Lifestyle
Today a majority of the Agikuyu are found in Nairobi and Central provinces of Kenya. Many have also migrated to other Kenyan towns and cities where they're involved in small business ventures while others work in other fields. A good number of Kikuyus have moved onto the west side of the Rift Valley into what was traditionally Kalenjin territory. There, they do large-scale farming and growing major cash crops of tea and coffee.
Because of their longtime economic success, majority of Kikuyus are very well educated. Their ability to adapt to new realities has resulted in them adopting many aspects of modern culture even those who live in the rural areas.
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Traditionally, a Kikuyu husband could marry more than one wife, if they could afford to care for them. Paying dowry (bride price) is still an important aspect of their culture. Although some culture has eroded, the Kikuyu language is still predominantly spoken especially in the urban areas where majority of people speak English and Swahili. 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 culture. Other than their economic stability the Kikuyu have continued to dominate leadership and politics in Kenya.
The first Kenyan president, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was a kikuyu; Kenyas 3rd and current president, his Excellency Emilio Mwai Kibaki is also a kikuyu and so is Professor Wangari Maathai, Africa's first female Nobel peace prize winner.
Faith & Religion
Today most Kikuyus are Christians, but just like the Maasai and the Kamba tribe, the kikuyu tribe 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 who had 9 daughters who later married and brought to life, the Kikuyu tribe.
Kikuyu Food
In most homes of the Kikuyu people, typical traditional Kikuyu food include githeri (maize and beans), mukimo (mashed green peas and potatoes), Irio (mashed dry beans, corn and potatoes), roast goat, beef, chicken and cooked green vegetables such as collards, spinach and carrots.
Other ethnic tribes of Kenya
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Kenya recipes - popular ethnic Kenya food you can cook at home
