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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.
01
Kayas
The kayas were the first homesteads of the Mijikenda peoples after their exodus from Singwaya.
02
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
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
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
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.
01.
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,"
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