Our Vision to Grow Better as The Mijikenda People

Inspired
by Culture

Experience the beautiful culture of the Mijikenda People from the Kenyan Coastline.
The Kenyan Coastline which is home to- pristine beaches, delicious cuisine, beach hotels and resorts, a relaxed atmosphere, and diverse wildlife.

Learn our Rich
Culture!

The nine Ethnic groups that make up the Mijikenda peoples are the
Chonyi, Kambe, Duruma, Kauma, Ribe, Rabai, Jibana, Giriama, and Digo

Chenda Chenda
Festival!

The Chenda Chenda festival is celebrated every September 9.
Elders from the nine Mijikenda tribes would meet to perform special prayers to appease the gods and teach the young people different cultures.

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Mijikenda Origin

A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

The original homeland of most of the Mijikenda was in the north, in the legendary Shungwaya (Singwaya) located on what is now the Somali coast.

Kayas

The kayas were the first homesteads of the Mijikenda peoples after their exodus from Singwaya.

Activities

During the precolonial period the Mijikenda people were horticulturalists and pastoralists, And had well established trade with the coastal Swahili peoples

Martin Walsh, Transafrican Journal of History Vol. 21 (1992), pp. 1-18 (18 pages)

The Nine Tribes of

THE MIJIKENDA PEOPLE

The Mijikenda People comprises the Giriama, Rabai, Ribe, Kauma, Digo, Chonyi, Kambe, Duruma and Jibana.

Kilagane Kisha

Giryama New Testament. The Giriama (also called Giryama) are one of the nine ethnic groups that make up the Mijikenda (which literally translates to "nine towns").

copyright © 2004 Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.
Contributor: Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc

Kilagane Kisha

Giryama New Testament. The Giriama (also called Giryama) are one of the nine ethnic groups that make up the Mijikenda (which literally translates to "nine towns").

Chenda Chenda Festival

The Chenda Chenda festival is celebrated every September 9. Usually, elders from the nine Mijikenda tribes would meet to teach the young people different cultures. They wear Handos’ to symbolise the passage of culture

It promotes cultural practices

Chenda Chenda Festival

Learn Mijikenda Languages

This is a small insight into the Mijikenda language found in Kenya and Tanzania. If you wish to learn all mijikenda dialects, click here to proceed

You will learn all 9 dialects
Easy to understand

Learn Mijikenda Languages

This is a small insight into the Mijikenda language found in Kenya and Tanzania. If you wish to learn all mijikenda dialects, click here to proceed

Mepoho: The Story of The Giriama Magic Woman

Mepoho was a Giriama woman who lived in the 13th century.The Giriama are a subgroup of the Mijikenda, or 9 villages, who largely reside along the the Kenyan Coast.

Baby Mepoho was discovered beside a pond near Kaloleni by some women who had gone to fetch water.

02.

Mepoho, grew up to become a formidable diviner, able to foretell calamities such as drought, famine and floods.

03.

Mepoho became possessed and began to narrate her prophecy: Strangers with hair as white as sisal would come to the land.

Introducing the Legends

THE MIJIKENDA LEGENDS

A brief introduction of the Mijikenda legends: Mepoho who is the traditional diviner, Mnyazi wa Menza (Mekatilili) who is the Giriama Wonder Woman and Hon. Karisa Maitha, Mugogo wa Pwani.

Traditional Diviner

Mepoho

The Wonder Woman

Mekatilili wa Menza

Mugogo wa Pwani

Karisa Maitha

The Mijikenda Leaders

Word from the Leaders

Amason Jeffa Kingi

Speaker of the Kenyan Senate

"Our rich cultural heritage as the Mijikenda Community is a source of pride and identity. The annual Chenda Chenda festival brings us together to embrace our heritage and showcase our unique traditions. This will be a one stop shop to document our rich heritage. Well done!"

Salim Mvurya

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs

"There is the need to preserve the diversity of the rich cultural heritage of the Mijikenda, focusing on positive values that boost peace and harmony. Our Unity as the Mijikenda Community and the Coast fraternity is key to our prosperity and there’s need for us to share ideas and join hands for the benefit of this region"

Aisha Jumwa

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Affirmative Action and Gender

"This is in fact a good idea, this will helps us understand different perspectives within the mijikenda tribes we belong in. It will also help the coming generation know where we came from. Continue with the good work. Yes, we are the Mijikenda People."

Owen Baya

Mp, Kilifi North

"Celebrating our culture is a focal point for unity in diversity. Embracing our heritage will help to showcase our unique traditions, create a platform for us to pass these traditions to the young generation as well as to embrace various counterparts thereby solidifying relationships among our communities,"