Facing Mt. Kenya
In his book, Facing Mt. Kenya, Jomo Keyatta establishes the history and tradition of the Gikuyu society. He defends the African tradition and condemns the British rule in Kenya. Certain points are cited throughout his reading with respect to the justification of Gikuyu society. Oral tradition, family clan, age grouping, sexuality, marriage and religion play a profound role in the lives of the Gikuyu. Kenyatta finds the British capitalizing on the work force the Gikuyu provide. He further states that the British took away their right to religion and has portrayed them as a lazy and uncivilized society. Kenyatta states that oral tradition is an important trait that a young child in the Gikuyu society learns from his birth. Writing and reading were not ideal skills since the oral tradition allowed the child to grow and adapt to this type of mentality. The child was guided through the teachings of his parents so that one day he may be able to carry this tradition to his offspring. Folklore, tribal dances, tribal customs, and farming were all taught orally and through hands-on experience. The concept of family clan and age grouping gave the child status and he was nothing without this resource. Those who
As an example of how unprepared the British were at handling the situation of Gikuyu religion the following is taken from the reading: "It was deemed unnecessary for white men to have any special training before dealing with and being put in charge of natives. If circumcision is abolished then when does a girl become an adult? The Gikuyu have been taught not to marry a girl who has not been circumcised. This similarity may be that they are now circumcised. When a boy wants to marry a girl, he must first consult his age group, which upon agreement, visit the young girls house and speak in parables to convey their presence. They have introduced Christianity without consideration of the Gikuyu religion. This unfortunately applied equally to the missionary as to other callings, and until recently it was the prevalent opinion that the Gospel could be better preached and interpreted to ignorant and degraded savages by less intellectual and less educated men. Oral tradition, family clan, age grouping, sexuality, marriage and religion play a profound role in the social structure of Gikuyu culture. Age grouping was brought through the similarity in certain boys or girls. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**Work CitedKenyatta, Jomo. This caused much confusion within the culture since the concept of polygyny was in place to produce offspring and take care of one's land. In cultivating the men clear the bush, cut big trees, and break the virgin soil while women prepare the ground for sowing seeds. It defends the African tradition and condemns the British rule in Kenya.
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