[Mark Twist Thuo]

I wish you luck in this pursuit of African Beliefs and practices. I haven't read much on this issue but I intend to read "Facing Mount Kenya" at some point.

That character you mentioned called Mami Wata of West Africa exhibits sounds eerily similar to another that our neighbour back in Limuru used to threaten me and his grandsons with. This guy was of the "kihiu Mwiri" age set(riika) which was also Kenyattas age set. Well he had goats and sheep which during the hols he would ask his two grandsons about my age to take to pasture and sometimes they would take them to the Kinenie forest. It was here that we would be warned not to stray or encounter the feared, "Muka wa Kweru" roughly translated to mean the "White Bride" She was reputed to do much the same things you mentioned ragarding Mami Wata except for the positive stuff like rewarding men with riches. This I just draw from a boyhood story so there may not be much to it but I just thought I would mention it to Remedious who wanted to know about Kikuyus.

You complain that the culture is disappearing and how your grandma recounted stories of African traditional worship. I notice you seem to say this with nostalgia but my question is did you attempt to attend one of Ngonya Wa Gakonya's Tent of the living God's religious prayer ceremonies? These guys have most of the information you need on traditional worship but there appearance rather than their message and educational value was what the press chose to highlight.

Since you sound like you may have genuine interest, why don't you visit the National Museum and look at the colonial pictures of Agikuyu back in the early 20the century and the European tales that accompany them. what is left out rather than what is highlighted should set you on course to discovering your identity.

National Archives. People do not know this is a gold mine. I could sit in there for 24 hrs and not get tired. Looking at pictures of Chief Karuri and other sub chiefs circa 1908. Colonial documents detailing all recognized kikuyu chiefs at that time.

Look at this one:

1908

Record book containing brief character notes, hut tax statistics and brief notes by the District commissioner on the following chiefs and headmen:- Karuri wa gakure, Katuru wa Wamui, Wimba wa Murianene, Lulua wa Mbuthia, Kaningi wa Mukongogo, Jagi wa Njira, Irungu wa Ikungu, Michuki wa Kagwe, Wangu wa Makeri, Warui wa Gikonyo, Thungi wa Githaiga, Gachoka wa Kagembi, Ekundu wa Kamau, Njugu wa Kabiru, Wanjohi wa Ndegwa, Kihunyu wa Kihanya, Muru wa Ndinga, Ruga wa Migwi, Chege wa Ngarangu, Kiruga wa Gacheru, Gakobo wa Mbathia, Kamandi wa Karura, Kamau wa Ngondi,Kaweru wa Muiga, Njagi wa Githambo, Miani wa Kariuki, Gathere wa Kanyi, Kihiga wa Mwenje, Muruithia wa Kihara, Gichuki wa Ngonii, Muthara wa Irungu, Waiganjo wa Rithie, Kaburi wa Kahiu.
Piece Date : 1908 - 1912

Record book containing serial numbers and locations of each sub-division, names of headmen and sub-headmen in charge and their salaries, names of council presidents, names of retainers and district commissioner`s character notes on each headman. Notes on chief Karuri to 13/5/16 when died.
Piece Date : 1912 - 1920