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THE AMERU
Angaza Newsletter 2016 - Page 8
Article Index
The Ameru are a Bantu ethnic group who live in the northern slopes of Mt Kenya. They originated from Congo region through Tanzania to their present home. They are divided into seven groups. The namely; tigania, igembe, imenti, mtuni, Egoji, mwimbi and muthaimbi.
The imenti dialect is common among the sub tribes. Differences in their dialects reflect their varied Bantu origins and influences from the Cushite’s and nilotes as well as their kikuyu and Kamba and Bantu neighbors.
The Ameru are agriculturalists who have done well due to good climatic conditions. their fertile lands produces crops such as ; corn ,beans ,potatoes and millet .the cash crops grown are ;coffee ,cotton, tea and miraa which is a stimulant plant.
Miraa being transported
Just like other Bantu a bride price inform of cows, goats, and sheep is paid by the groom’s family. They are ruled by a senior council of elders known as Njuri ncheke .Punishment is issued by a group of people called nkomango, the clan elders are grouped basing on an age set system.
Before the coming of the Europeans they were mainly cultivators but as time went on they engaged in different activities such as; trading, animal rearing just but to mention a few.
The meru tribe also have a strong educational foundation provided by Christian mission schools and are among the most influential ethnic groups in Kenya Some of the current prominent leaders from Meru are ;Kiraitu MurungI [Current Meru senator] Peter Munya[current chairman of the council of governors in Kenya .] Francis Muthaura [a diplomat] and Gitobu Imanyara [renowned lawyer]
