Kikuyu religion is a monotheistic set of beliefs that has been practiced by the Kikuyu people for centuries. It centres around the worship of a single God known as Ngai which translates to one creator God. Ngai is traditionally believed to live in the sky, judges people according to their actions and rests on the mountains when he temporarily homes on earth for inspections. In this time, he blesses and hands down punishments to mortals.
Ngai and Natural Features
The significance of mountains shows in the second name for Ngai which is Mwenyenyaga – Possessor of brightness. The moniker originates from Kerenyaga – the Kikuyu name for the famed Mt. Kenya – the mountain of brightness believed to be his primary place of rest on earth. In prayer, the Kikuyu community turn towards Mt. Kenya with arms raised to offer sacrifices for Ngai’s consideration. Ngai is also said to manifest through the sun, moon, rainbows, stars, and thunder and lightning.
Individuals cannot beseech Ngai on their own and spiritual assistance largely has to be sought as a family unit. Unbothered about the daily affairs of people, he can only be approached in times of real need.
Ancestral Spirits and the Kikuyu Creation Story
There is an emphasis placed on the prestige of the elderly in Kikuyu culture that lends itself to a belief in ancestral spirits. The older a person is, the more respect they are said to be due, and tributes are given to ancestral spirits to revel in their memory. The idea is not to worship these spirits but to give them what they would have received if alive. For example, the sacrifice of a sheep symbolises the gifts the elders continue to receive even in death.
These spirits are believed to reside in the sacred mugumo or fig tree which is said to have been planted by Ngai. When Ngai created the first Kikuyu man and woman called Gikuyu and Mumbi, Gikuyu built a homestead at Mukure wa Nyagathanga. This area was close to Murang’a which was full of fig trees. Gikuyu prayed and gave sacrifice to Ngai under the mugumo tree when it was time for his nine daughters to begin their own families. Mugumo trees have since remained a place where Ngai is believed to receive and heed prayers.
Spirits and Medicine Men
Gikuyu spirits are classified into three distinct groups. One is the spirits of mothers and fathers who can commune and advise their living children as they did in life. The second group is clan spirits believed to have the best interest of the community at heart. As such, these spirits can act in solidarity with the living clan to deliver justice depending on the behaviour of members. The third group of spirits is age-group spirits which focus on the matters concerning their age cohort.
To understand the actions of spirits, a medicine man or Mondo-mogo was enlisted in times of misfortune or illness which were believed to be caused by spirits. This individual is tasked with discovering the reasons why a spirit is behaving maliciously and recommending remedies such as holding a feast if the disgruntled spirit was not invited to the first one.
Are you familiar with traditional Kikuyu beliefs? Let us know in the comments!