Beliefs and Traditions of the Kikuyu
Ngai Religion
All traditional Kikuyu religion was based off of their god, Ngai. The basis of this religion is that the first Kikuyu were created by Ngai and were named Gikuy for a sycamore tree and Mumbi for a companion of the tree. The sycamore tree is considered to be where they came from. Mt. Kenya was chosen to be where they would live since they believe that their god Ngai resides there. While they were there small sacrifices like animals and food were bestowed upon Ngai, and the sacrifice had to take place under a sycamore tree (Kikuyu People 2014). Ngai is said to have given a spirit to everything in the Universe, so everything they see is believed to have a soul since it is connected to Ngai. Along with their religion there are some old rules like "Everything created by God retains a bond from God (Creator) to the created.The first humans who were created by God have the strongest vital force because they got it directly from God." Some of the Kikuyu believe more in Christianity due to missionaries during colonization (Pateman, Robert: 26).
(Beautiful Mt. Kenya 2013)
Traditions Among the Kikuyu
The Kikuyu follow many traditions in their life style. For a religious ceremony both boy and girl have to be circumcised, but now the girls don't since Kenya finds it to be against their laws. To be considered a true Kikuyu man they have to be circumcised. Other traditions include seasonal harvest festivals. Two take place each year with two other types of festivals. Mibura ya njahi is the season of big rain and the black bean harvest. Mbura ya Mwere is the short rain season festival. Magetha ma Mwere is the season of harvesting. Mbura ya Kimera is just a celebration for rejoice. Otherwise the Kikuyu don't really celebrate any other holidays unless they have a different religion ( Kikuyu People 2014).
(Kikuyu Circumcision Ceremony 2006)