Facing Mount Kenya: The Traditional Life of the GikuyuAfrican Books Collective, 29 déc. 1978 - 260 pages Facing Mount Kenya, first published in 1938, is a monograph on the life and customs of the Gikuyu people of central Kenya prior to their contact with Europeans. It is unique in anthropological literature for it gives an account of the social institutions and religious rites of an African people, permeated by the emotions that give to customs and observances their meaning. It is characterised by both insight and a tinge of romanticism. The author, proud of his African blood and ways of thought, takes the reader through a thorough and clear picture of Gikuyu life and customs, painting an almost utopian picture of their social norms and the sophisticated codes by which all aspects of the society were governed. This book is one of a kind, capturing and documenting traditions fast disappearing. It is therefore a must-read for all who want to learn about African culture. |
Table des matières
1 | |
14 | |
Chapter 3 Economic Life | 36 |
Chapter 4 Industries | 48 |
Chapter 5 System of Education | 67 |
Chapter 6 Initiation of Boys and Girls | 89 |
Chapter 7 Sex Life among Young People | 106 |
Chapter 8 Marriage System | 112 |
Chapter 10 Gikuyu Religion Ancestor Worship and Sacrificial Practices | 159 |
Chapter 11 The New Religion in East Africa | 185 |
Chapter 12 Magical and Medical Practices | 193 |
Chapter 13 Conclusion | 213 |
Glossary | 220 |
230 | |
Back cover | 237 |
Chapter 9 The Gikuyu System of Government | 128 |
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Expressions et termes fréquents
activities African age-grade age-group Akamba ancestral spirits animals arogi asked banana beer behaviour boy’s boys calabash called cattle ceremonial songs child circumcision clan clitoridectomy council crops cultivation custom dances daughter district duty economic elders especially European evil spirits FACING MOUNT KENYA family group father feast fire friends Gðkøyø country Gðkøyø religion Gðkøyø society Gðkøyø system girl girl’s give given hands homestead husband initiates irua itwðka kðama kða Kenyatta kiama Kiambu district killed kinship land tenure love magic Maasai magician maize man’s marriage married mbarð medicineman missionaries Møgai møndø Møømbi Møramati mørogi mother Mwene-Nyaga mwere Ndørøbø ndundu Ngai ngoma njama Nyeri oath parents peace polygamy rain religious riika ritual røracio sacred tree sacrifice sexual intercourse sheep and goats sheep or goats social songs spears sugarcane tribal organisation tribe warriors wife wives woman women