Honia-Heal Afrika Initiative (HAI)

Written by Gĩtaũ wa Kũng’ũ

I believe that person can read many books, but until they have studied themselves, they are not educated.
Kĩgumo is amongst the first names that appear in the first page of the history of independent Kenya. Kĩgumo. The name is an acme derivative of the name Mũgumo.
This article will elucidate on the sociocultural significance of Mũgumo tree in the cosmology, culture and religio-political dispensation in the Agĩkũyũ community.

We shall also delve into the geopolitical significance of Kĩgumo in Kenya’s history, and dive into a prognosis connecting Kĩgumo into the future of Mt. Kenya region unity; the birth of the first original post-colonial Alkebulan system of government and; the 21st century contribution of Kĩgumo Sub County into the future of United Nations.

Mũgumo is the Gĩkũyũ name for the great (Ficus natalensis /Ficus thonningii).
That means a ‘Kĩgumo’ is a very large Mũgumo tree.
The Mũgumo is an epiphytic tree, indigenous in Africa. It’s widely spread from the East to West and South Africa. In most communities in Africa, it is regarded a sacred tree. The Agĩkũyũ of Kenya venerate the tree as ‘The tree of God.’

In ‘Revisiting the roots of Gĩkũyũ
culture through the sacred Mũgumo tree’, Karangi, Matthew M. (2008) writes in the Journal of African Cultural Studies, a more comprehensive article on the role of Mũgumo tree in the Aagĩkũyũ cosmology and worship.
Coming from Kĩgumo, the prolific scholar inspired me to delve into further field research on the article. The inspiration was sparked by a deep introspection in my journey into self discovery.
I therefore delved into research on the significance of the Mũgumo tree in the Agĩkũyũ community.
The Mũgumo tree served many roles in the life and culture of not only the Agĩkũyũ people but also in other indigenous African communities.
The Mũgumo tree is recognised by different communities in their different tongues. For instance, the English call it: Strangler fig; the Agĩkũyũ Kamba: Kiumo, Maumo (fruit); Kikuyu: Mugumo; Kipsigis: Simotuet; Kisii: Omogumu; Luhya: Lutoto; Luhya (Bukusu): Kumutoto kumusecha; Luo: Pocho; Maasai: Oreteti, Olreteti; Marakwet: Simotuet, Simotwo, Simat; Mbeere: Mugumo; Meru: Mugumo; Nandi: Simotuet; Pokot: Simotwo; Sabaot: Simotuet; Samburu: Reteti, Labuli; Somali: Kalejeje; Swahili: Mlandege; Taita: Mvumo, Mvumu.
The next post shall discuss the significance of the Mũgumo tree in the Agĩkũyũ community’s cosmology, cultural and religiopolitical dispensation.
Let’s get your comments in the meantime: How does your community regard the Mũgumo tree?