Kikuyu Elders Consecrate New Cultural Center in Nairobi

The leadership of the Kiama kia Ma led by its national spiritual leader – Maturanguru Njathi wa Mbatia, consecrated a cultural center which is under construction in Nairobi’s Dagoretti South.

During the dedication of the ‘Thingira wa Kiama kia Ma, Nairobi County,’ National chairman Ndung’u wa Gaithuma underscored the importance of culture in every society.

“Culture is the foundation of a people. It’s their way of life. People need to have their values in their existential foundation. Hard work and diligence, for example, is one of those values.

This community center is where the dispensation of these values will be implemented. It is a school of our way of life and a platform for generation transition,” he opined.

On his part, the association’s national Secretary General Eng. Patrick Muiru said it was a step in the right direction.

“This is a historic achievement for our Kiama. The future looks bright with such an initiative under the way”, he remarked Eng. Muiru, the national Secretary General.

According to Eng. Muiru, Thingira is a platform where implementation of decisions concerning governance, wealth, economic sustainability, justice, cultural traditions, heritage and peace within the Gikuyu community and the clans happened. It is also where shared community values were entrenched.

About the Thingira cultural center

Hosted by the St. Paul Orthodox Church Kagira, Thingira is designated to be a cultural site and community center.

It is part of close collaboration initiatives between the church and Kiama Kia Ma with the church supporting the Gikuyu cultural movement.

“There’s a looming misconception that one cannot follow their religion and practice their culture. Even Jesus was raised in the Jewish tradition, circumcised and lived according to it and even his burial was according to the Jewish rites,” explained Father Paul, the local Orthodox Church priest as well as a Kiama kia Ma local chairman.

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In agreement, Eng. Muiru emphasized that the Gikuyu “culture and Christianity worship the same God. We also share the same common values that discourage discrimination based on race, tribe, gender or disability.

Inside Thingira

The Thingira, which will be ready by the end of the year, will consist of ten huts, representing all the Agikuyu clans, referred to as Mîhîrîga Kenda Mûiyûru.

Furthermore, in future, the center will host initiation of the boys who undergo the annual circumcision ceremony, an important rite of passage for all Gîkûyû young men.

Kiama kia Ma Nairobi County leaders have been hosting this ceremony at nearby schools for the past 19 years.

“It is finally a relief to have a place we can call home. The Thingira will be a home for all of us, men, women and children”, said Mugwe Wanjuhî, the Kiama kia Ma Nairobi County leader.

He proposes that Gîkûyû women, also called Nyakinyua, will be hosting younger women at the site for traditional lessons like cooking, weaving baskets and making ornaments.

Future plans

Further plans for the Thingira include running a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) school.

Wanjuhi, the vision bearer of the Thingira project, pointed out the staggering rates of unemployment among the Gikuyu youth, leading to alcoholism and drug abuse.

“The TVET will be one of the ways to support Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s fight against illicit brew in the country,” said Wanjuhi.

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Wanjuhi hopes that the Thingira will continue enjoying the goodwill of the local community as well as putting Kiama Kia Ma on the national public discourse.

According to him, there have been cults emerging in the recent past that contradict the modern way of life.

Thingira wa Nairobi, he envisages, will help promote the positive, modern way of life among the Gikuyus while keeping alive the Gikuyu culture.