Ameru Heritage Forum

Ameru Heritage Forum invites all cultural and heritage enthusiasts to a writers' progress update on April 28th at PCEA Andrew's Church, starting from 1pm. Join us and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Meru authors likes of Kiruki Mwithimbu et al and unravel the beauty of Ameru culture.

This event sets the stage for the AHF Symposium in August 2024 at Meru University, a gathering of individuals dedicated to sharing, preserving, and understanding the rich tapestry of Ameru heritage.

For inquiries, check the contact details on the poster.

Let's celebrate and embrace the spirit of cultural diversity!

All interested authors and individuals are invited to a consultative forum with high flying Amiiru authors on 3rd February at PCEA St Andrew from 1pm. Come learn and share the rich Amiiru culture and heritage with fellow enthusiasts. Kindly RSVP via WhatsApp through the number provided in the poster.

Tomorrow the 28th of October, Antony Kimathi Buuri The Brand Ambassador Ameru Heritage Forum(AHF) & The chairperson Imenti Central Youth Caucus & invites you to a talk on TALENT MONETIZATION hosted by Meru County Youths and Comrades Association (MEYACA) free webinar from 8pm to 10pm.

MEYACA is a youth led association that is focused on uplifting youth of our great county. Its main focuses are YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKS , PRESERVATION OF OUR CULTURE , and the FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS & SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

The talk will shed light on profound ways talented & creative young people can utilize their God given abilities to earn a living & better their livelihood.

Therefore, we, AHF, look forward to work with this visionary and passionate youths in MEYACA to share, preserve and understand our great Ameru culture.

You are all welcome!!!
(Click on the link on the comment section to join the discussion)

Join us in our informative weekly online segment whereby our well informed elders, that is, Mr Simon Mitambo and Fr Zacchaeus Kirianki will be taking us through :The significance of Koome Njue and Kaura O Bechau in Amiiru cultural believes and customary practices. Purpose to attend and learn more about our rich Amiiru culture.

Kuwirua Mpekethu a dedicated member of Ameru Heritage Forum ;an association of passionate Amiiru from Nthucu 2 Ntonyiri who are determined to preserve, share and understand the rich Amiiru culture , will be hosted by Murimi Kirima wa Kabarugua, a cultural enthusiast who hosts a cultural program dabbed 'Gaaru ya Nkomere' at Mwago Fm every Saturday.

Tune in, listen and learn as our well informed and astute son of the soil shed light on the topic of the day ;Nthuuki cia Kimeru.

Kuwirua Mpekethu a dedicated member of Ameru Heritage Forum ;an association comprising of passionate Amiiru from Nthucu 2 Ntonyiri who are determined to preserve, share and understand the rich Amiiru culture , will be hosted by Murimi Kirima wa Kabarugua, a cultural enthusiast who hosts a cultural program dabbed 'Gaaru ya Nkomere' at Mwago Fm every Saturday.

Tune in, listen and learn as our well informed and astute son of the soil shed light on the topic of the day ;Nthuuki cia Kimeru.

AHF in its efforts to unite our community through our culture, requests every Mumiiru to embrace our cultural roots so that we can strengthen our community bond as Amiiru.

We welcome you all this Sunday for yet another breathtaking and informative online segment whereby our very wise and erudite elders will be unpacking another pertinent topic :THE SIGNIFICANCE of KOOME NJUE and MUGWE in Ameru Cultural. Purpose to join us and get to learn more about our rich Amiiru culture, interact with a host of sons and daughters of the soil who are well versed with the Amiiru culture as well as get the opportunity of being a part of this great initiative spearheaded by AHF meant to preserve, share and understand the Amiiru culture.

Mwarimû Mawira M'Tuamwari Kanyai Brid Nickie Murerwa Maingi Karimi Bruno

AMERU HERITAGE FORUM
REPORT OF THE MERU AGE-SETS (NTHUKI) NOMENCLATURE SYSTEM &
CIRCUMCISION (MATAANWA) PRACTICES TOPIC DELIBERATED ONLINE LAST WEEKEND – 27/08/2023 -

By Worthington H. Kimathi - Facilitator.

Introduction.
Kimeru ni gietu!! Ni nkatho kwithirwa ndi umwe wa gikundi giki kia guchokaniiria umenyo bwa Ntwire na Mikarire ya Ameru, nikio Ameru Heritage Forum. Nawe Mumiru arauga “ Uume bwa muntu umwe ni gachigo”, na kuri bungi nabu, bubwingi “ja bwa Gikuura, kana guuru ya Naitira” (extreme), indi kwiragwa “itithiranagiria nyaki. O muntu wonthe ari untu. bwawe!

Disclaimer: -
I might not be very accurate nor a competent expert to these matters but have endeavored to share my experience from other historical sources on Ameru, mostly oral and written.

Kirira ni kiagutiganirwa kuuma muntu/antu kiri bangi, kana kuthuja ta uria ngwataniro iji yetu –AHF- ikuthithia nandi niuntu bwa guchokaniiria mikarire na mituurire ya Ameru, mono kiri nthuki cietu iria irio na iria ikeja nyumene. Kwou nteto ciakwa ni iria uuni nthujite kana kwigua kiri baria akuru kirini. Tini ninka ndina umenyo bwa ntento iji na inyingi ingi, indi kuri kinya bangi babaingi mono gikundine giki baiji kinya nkuruki yakwa. Kwiragwa “mwathwa kirira nuri kiawe”.
A. NTHUKI IMENTI AGE-SETS THEIR WIVES
1885 RIUNGU/MURUNGI TIRINDI
1900 MIRITI/KAARIA MUCHECHE
1915 KIRUJA/KABURU MUGITO
1930 MBAYA MUKAMI
1945 MBAABU MUNYANGE
1959 GICHUNGE NCHURUBI
1975 MUNG’ATIA-KILO CHIO-KILO
1990 MUTHAMIA CHIO-KIURIA
2005 GACHIENJA

NOTE: -
Ikwari na NTUIKO, kana kwebaniria nthuki imwe gwita ingi nyuma ya miaka 10-15, indi kuriumbika kuremwa rimwe ni untu bwa mikarire ya nthiguru ta ndwaa kana mpara. (Example; natural calamities (Kiaramu hunger), war(s) 1914-18 – 1939-45), Mau Mau state of emergency 1952-60).
Ikwombikaga gukethirwa kuri na matana 5 nthukine imwe.
Formal authority – KIRUKA NA NTIBA.
This alternated between ½ of male society and the other passing back and forth every 12-15 years. Three age sets, grandfathers, fathers and sons. It gave division of society into those coming “IN” and “OUTS”.
At any point in time, members of the related age sets were known as “NTIBA”. The others, weather “in” or “out” of power, called “KIRUKA”.
This pattern was said to be either KIRUKA or NTIBA were in power, akin to a political dispensation.
It should be noted there was different naming systems and methods between the different tribes of Ameru.
B. MIRIGA YA AMERU
Miriga iria igwetagwa kuuma riria AMERU baumire MBWAA, ta uria ijikine kinya nandi, na ta uria aandiki baria bari igweta baandikite;
BANTU ORIGIN – Alfred M’ Imanyara
Igembe, Tharaka, Tigania, Imenti, Mwimbi, Muthambi, Chuka (7)

LIVING ON THE EDGE – Eng. Kiruki Mwithimbu
Tigania, Igembe, Imenti, Mwimbi, Miutine, Thaichu, Chuka, Tharaka (8)
AMERU HISTORY AND RISE OF NJURI-NCHEKE – FR. ZACCHAEUS MURIANKI
Tigania, Igembe, Imenti, Igoji, Mwimbi, Muthambi, Tharaka, Chuka (8)
HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT – Form One Students’ Book – Kenya Literature Bureau (5th edition)
Igembe, Tigania, Tharaka, Imenti, Mwimbi, Muthambi, Egoji, Miitine, Chuka (9)
In spite of each author’s opinion, it is very clear that the Ameru share and still retain the above common identity across the two counties of Meru and Tharaka Nithi. Twinthe turi ba Kini-kiiru umwe!!
C. GUKURA KWA AMERU (STAGES OF AMERU MALES
Ukuru bwa Ameru kwambiria bachiarwa gwakari ta uju:-
Miaka Biama
0 – 7+ Kaiji - Kaminchu
7 – 15 Mwiji - Kigumi
15 – 18 Ndinguri (Ntaane after circumcision) - Gaturi
18 – 29 Muthaka (Warrior, start of age set naming) - Kwathwa Uthaka Gaarune
29 – 40+Muruau (retiree from Gaaru - barracks) allowed to marry/start a family – Njuri-Ncheke
40 -51 Mukuru – NJURI-IMPERE
51+ Mukuru wa kiama-Mwariki
Miriga mianya mianya niyari na Nkuagaya, Ithambiro na Igiri biao bia gutanira biiji biao. Mutaani uria wijikine na utani, ariumba kugiirua ni nthaka kuuma akui kana kuraaja.
D. MUGWE
He was a spiritual single individual, (a family hereditary position), according to different sub-ethnic units, a transmitter of blessings and seer. His revered role was to serve as spiritual intermediary for his people, invoking God’s blessings for each significant communal action and interpreting them. His role was specific, to offer blessings to the community in all spheres, a contact with GOD and spirits of the ancestors, a peacekeeper and consultant during calamities.
E. WIDENING THE CULTURAL LINK
As proposed during the Charanna outing on 12/08/2023, we should reach out to other likeminded groups to enhance our efforts in reviving our AMERU CULTURE.

EPOLOGUE
This subject was given to me to deliver at a very short notice, and as aforementioned, there are several members in this forum who are probably, more knowledgeable, conversant and better presenters. I suggest the administrators of this forum should create a data base of potential and passionate experts in different fields to handle the subsequent segments. I honor and respect all individuals in this forum for their quest to understand, share and preserve the Ameru culture. “Mkosa mira ni mutumwa”.

In our quest to preserve, share and understand the Amiiru culture, this weekend on our weekly online segment, we will be unraveling another intriguing yet pertinent topic : 'The Amiiru age sets (nthuuki) and Circumcision practices(mataanwa)'. Our able Secretary Judith Mwari Kiragu will moderate this informative segment with our very wise and erudite elder, Mr Harrison W Kimathi as the facilitator , who will therein share his vast knowledge and profound wisdom on this topic. The two will be complimented by the mighty AHF team guided by the chair FC Munene together with a host of other wise elders who will add more insights and weight on the topic.

Join us through the link provided below and learn more about our rich Amiiru culture. Kanyai Brid Nickie Murerwa Maingi Ruks Charanna Karimi Bruno Mwarimû Mawira M'Tuamwari FC Munene

Ameru Heritage Forum welcomes you all to this great deliberation which seeks to unravel unbeknown Ameru Cultural aspects, norms and traditions. For example, do you know the official Ameru colours and what they represent? If not, join our online deliberation and get to learn more about our rich culture.