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People Profile
The Meru of Kenya
Population: 1,300,000 (1996)
Religion:Traditional Religion, Christianity
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NARRATIVE PROFILE
Location: The Meru people live primarily on and adjoining the northeastern slope of Mount Kenya. The name "Meru" refers to both the people and the location, as for many years there was only one geo-political district for the Meru people. This changed in 1992 when the district was divided into three: Meru, Nyambene, and Tharaka-Nithi. These people are unrelated to the Meru people in north Tanzania, other than that they are both Bantu-speaking.
History: Depending upon who one asks, Meru history spans about 270 years. There are no written records for the first 200 and what may be learned must come from memories of the community's elders. The predominant tradition has to do with a place called "Mbwa." This tradition tells how the Meruan ancestors were captured by the Nhuuntune ("Red People") and taken into captivity on the island of Mbwa
Because conditions were intolerable, secret preparations were made to leave Mbwa, which according to some oral tradition sources was located in present day Yemen. When the day came to leave Mbwa, a corridor of dry land is said to have been created for the people to pass through the Red Sea. They later followed a route that took them to the hills of Marsabit, eventually reaching the Indian Ocean coast. There they stayed for some time; however, due to climactic conditions and threat from Arabs, they traveled farther south until they came to the River Tana basin. The Chuka separated from them there. Most traditions say the rest went as far south as Tanzania until finally reaching the Mount Kenya area.
This seems to combine two separate myths of origin from different segments of Meru history, one from the north and another from the east. Some identify Mbwa with Manda Island near Lamu and the water as the ocean channel. The eastern origin tradition indicates westward migration from the coast. This correlates with traditions of other Bantu peoples like the Giriama and the Pokomo.
Identity: The Meru people have traditionally been considered to be Bantu. Some studies on Meru history shows some of the Meru are Cushitic in origin. The Meru are actually of mixed origin, with some claiming an origin from the north or west, as well as the coastal origins. Cushites referred to as Mwoko in Meru traditions were already living there when the Bantu groups arrived in various stages of migration. The Meru are most closely related to the Chuka, but share many similarities with the Embu and Kikuyu as well.
Language: The languages of Meru, Chuka, Embu and Kikuyu are somewhat understandable to one another with some substantial differences. The Meru speak at least seven different dialects, but the Bible translation being used is in the Imenti dialect. The differences in the dialects reflect the varied Bantu origins and influences from Cushite and Nilotic, as well as different Bantu, neighbors. As a whole Meru exhibits much older Bantu characteristics in grammar and phonetic forms than the neighboring languages. Even so, it still bears a close resemblance to Kikuyu and Kamba.
Political Situation: In the past the Meru were in a coalition with the Embu and Kikuyu which yielded some political power. The coalition, called Gikuyu-Embu-Meru Association (GEMA), is not as strong as it once was, but the Meru typically vote with the opposition. This does vary from location to location, but would generally hold true. Developments under the multi-party experiment since 1992 has renewed an informal political alliance between GEMA peoples and much of the Luo "community."
Customs: The Meru have fairly strict circumcision customs that affect all of life. From the time of circumcision, boys no longer have contact with their mother and girls no longer have contact with their father. A separate house is built for the sons and the mother leaves their food outside the door. This does vary to some degree depending on the level of urban influence, but is still practiced in Meru town. This is one of the major reasons that all secondary schools in Meru are boarding schools.
The Meru are primarily agrarian, with some animals. Their home life and culture is similar to other Highland Bantus. The Tharaka live in the dry desert area, a much harsher life than most Meru. Meru have had a strong educational foundation has been provided by Christian mission schools.
Religion/Christianity: Traditionally, the Meru followed persons called "Mugwe" who served as a prophet and spiritual leader. Mugwes still exist today but are said to have only an ornamental purpose. In the days of mission comity agreements, Meru was given to the Methodists. Methodism has therefore become the primary religion of the region. In many cases, church membership is a cultural rather than spiritual matter.
Even within the Methodist Church, three groups are recognized: Christians--all church members, Followers--those members who are "saved", and the Team--those saved members who are into the "deeper life." Most see this division as resulting from the East African Revival movement which started in the early 1930's. Researchers report the Meru to be 45% Christian.
Baptist and Pentecostals have experienced fairly active response in recent years. Much effort is being given to leadership training. Training workers report that one frustrating hindrance to training and church development has been a political power attitude by church leaders.
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Bibliography
Bottignole, Silvana. Kikuyu Traditional Culture and Christianity.. Nairobi, Kenya: Heinemann Educational Books, 1984.
Meru., Nairobi, Kenya: Consolata Fathers, No date, No authors given.
Ogot, B. A. (ed). Kenya Before 1900: Eight Regional Studies.. Nairobi, Kenya: East African Publishing House, 1978.
Orville Boyd Jenkins
Dane Fowlkes
August 1996
Revised 05 May 2003
Copyright © 1996, 2003 Orville Boyd Jenkins
Permission granted for free download and transmission for personal or educational use. Other rights reserved.
Email: researchguy@iname.com
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