Discovering Gikuyu
Explore the rich history and vibrant culture of the Gikuyu language in Kenya. A journey through its sounds and stories.
Family Of Ngungu Kaguru (1966-05) by Priya RamrakhaLIFE Photo Collection
A Language of Kenya
Gikuyu, also known as Kikuyu, is a Bantu language, spoken by the Kikuyu people in Kenya's central region, including Nyeri, Nairobi, and Nakuru.
The Kikuyu people usually identify their lands by the surrounding mountain ranges in Central Kenya, including Mount Kenya, which they call Kĩrĩnyaga.
Family Tree Family Tree (2012) by Wangechi MutuNasher Museum of Art at Duke University
Gikuyu Dialects
The Gikuyu language comprises four main dialects, all mutually intelligible. This contributes to the language's unity across different regions. They are: Southern Dialect, Central Dialect, Northern Dialect, and Mathira Dialect.
Within these main dialects, there are several sub-dialects, including:
- Gĩthanga: Spoken in the Gĩthanga region of Kiambu County.
- Gĩcũgũ: Used in the Gĩcũgũ region of Muranga County.
- Ndia: Found in the Ndia region of Kirinyaga County.
- Mbeere: Spoken in the Mbeere region of Embu County.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o by Unknown
Kikuyu's Famous Icon
Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a renowned speaker of Kikuyu, and one of its most prominent advocates. In 1970, he stopped publishing in English in favour of his native language Gikuyu. His works have been translated into English.
Ngugi is a perennial nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature -- author of classic novels like Weep Not Child (1964), The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), Petals of Blood (1977), Devil on the Cross (1982), Matigari (1986), and Wizard of the Crow (2004). His works often explore themes of colonialism, identity, culture, and politics, providing powerful insights into the African experience.
By Loomis DeanLIFE Photo Collection
Speakers
There are about 12 million speakers of Gikuyu in Kenya.
Samuel Ndongo (PhD) worked on this story.
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