For Mwaura Wa Waithara, a resident of Kanjuku village in Gatundu North, his son’s circumcision could not be completed until a ceremony to mark the milestone is held.
Mwaura had to organize for Ithemba, a thanksgiving ceremony where parents, relatives and friends of Mburu Mwaura, his son were treated to Kikuyu traditional dishes.
Unknown to many, the traditional ritual is held to mark the end of the circumcision journey for young initiates who often stay indoors for at least 14 days following the cut.
The father or the uncle of a young man is required to produce a he-goat which is slaughtered for feeding by a clan before the initiate is blessed to join adulthood.
During such ceremonies, family and relatives take Kikuyu homegrown diets such as Mukimo, a meal prepared by mashing potatoes and green vegetables, porridge, and grilled meat among others.
While circumcision usually signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood besides other socially significant meanings such as assumption of responsibility and admission into full membership of Kikuyu society, Ithemba on the other hand detaches young boys from their mother’s counsel, a responsibility that is left to his agemates and male elders.
The momentous ceremony is conducted with only two body parts, the upper limb (Kiiga) and chest meat (Githuri) of the slaughtered goat commonly known as Ngoima.
Githuri is shared between the initiate and his two parents to mark a reunion after days of separation while Kiiga is given to the initiate’s caretaker as an appreciation for the work well-done, meat he is supposed to share with his agemates to also help them recognize the transition.
After feeding, the father to the initiate, alongside his uncle is supposed to bless their son using Muratina, an acceptable alcoholic drink before the elders take over to lead the young man to the cultural ways of living and relating with people.
The initiate is later given parabolic war attire before the clan begins to issue him with presents marking the beginning of a new life.
Speaking at the long-day event that usually begins with early-morning slaughtering, Kikuyu elders present led by Gichuhi Gatimu urged the community to embrace such traditions for better identities.
“We are committed to going back to our roots and we will do everything to ensure our traditions are preserved and passed to the next generation,” Muiruri Wa Murori, the leader in the Ithemba ceremony stated.
On his part, former Gatundu North MP who is also a member of Kiama Kiama, the Kikuyu elders who conduct the ceremony urged the church to stop circumcising young boys and leave the duty to elders who he said were responsible for the growth or destruction of the community.
Kigo insisted that the church’s role is solely to inculcate good values in the youngsters through biblical teachings while the cut business was traditionally an elder’s affair.
“Let us not confuse roles here. It is the duty of the church to inculcate good values in our children but on circumcision, that role is purely communal and elders were from the beginning entrusted with it,” said Njenga.
The former lawmaker at the same time called on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the top political leader in the country from Mt Kenya to unite the region to ensure they enjoy the best country’s cake.
“Gachagua must unite the entire Kikuyu community and help us rally behind the government that we formed to enjoy its services. I urge him to ensure that none of us moves away from our unity of purpose,” added Gachagua.
He at the same time urged youngsters who do not make it to the university to take up technical courses insisting they are not only marketable but also ensure the growth of the country’s economic agenda.
