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Kikuyu Clans You Should Know

 Agikuyu is a culturally rich and diverse community hailing from central Kenya, with a heritage deeply rooted in its distinctive clan structure. 

Image via Unsplash


They are divided into clans, each bearing a unique significance of tradition and history. 

What makes this clan system truly fascinating is that the clans are named after the nine daughters of Mumbi, a pivotal figure in Agikuyu folklore. 

The origins of this intriguing tale trace back to the belief that God, or Ngai, created the first man, Gikuyu, and placed him in the vicinity of Mount Kenya, in what is now known as Murang'a County. 

Isolated and yearning for companionship, Gikuyu turned to Ngai for a partner, and thus, the woman Mumbi was bestowed upon him. 

Mumbi bore Gikuyu daughters, and these daughters went on to establish the foundation of the Agikuyu clan system. 

Each of these nine clans is distinguished by a symbolic totem that holds profound cultural significance. 

If you're curious to know more about these nine clans and the totems that make up the vibrant Agikuyu tribe, keep reading.  

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A list of major Sabaot clans

The Kipsigis clans you should know

A List of Kikuyu Clans

1. Wanjirũ (Anjiru clan)

2. Wanjiku  (Anjiku clan)

3. Wambũi  ( Ambui clan)

4. Wangũi or Waithiegeni (Angui or Aithiegeni clan)

5. Waithĩra or Wangeci (Aithĩrandũ or Angeci clans)

6. Waceera or Wanjeri (Aceera clan)

7. Nyambura or Akĩũrũ or Ethaga (Ethaga clan)

8. Wairimũ or Gathiigia (Airimu or Agathigia clan)

9. Wangarĩ or mũithekahuno (Angari clan/ Aithekahuno)

10. Wamũyũ or Warigia ( Gikuyu and Mumbi, the mother to the Aicakamuyu, Warigia, Wanjugu clan

As you may observe, there is an interesting discrepancy in the number of clans, which are ten, not nine, as one might expect based on the number of daughters attributed to Mumbi. 

This discrepancy has sparked considerable debate among historians, as many of them argue in favor of a 10th daughter named Wamuyu. 

According to historical accounts, Wamuyu, while remaining unmarried, assumed the role of a single mother and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Aicakamuyu clan. 

The prevailing belief among the Kikuyu community is that openly acknowledging the existence of ten clans or daughters could potentially bring about ill omens, which could explain the historical omission of this tenth clan.

Read Also:

Major Kalenjin Subtribes You Should Know

Major Sabaot Subgroups 

A List of Kikuyu Totems

All Kikuyu clans had respective totems.

It was taboo to eat the animals that symbolized the various totems. The following animals symbolize the clans:

1. Ambui - Fish

2. Akiuru or Ambura or Ethaga - All wild animals

3. Angeci or Aithirandu - Hippo

4. Airimu or Agathigia- Warthog

5. Angui or Aithiegeni - Impala

6. Anjiru -Elephant and all birds

7. Aicakamuyu- No totem

8. Agaciku – Zebra

9. Angari or Aithekahuno - The stomach content of an animal 

10. Aceera - Thomson's gazelle (Thwara)

Final Thoughts

Now you have an idea of all the Agikuyu clans.

If you feel that I have omitted any clan, please let me know.

And share the clan you belong to in the comments. Let’s be proud of our culture.
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