Page 14 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 35

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Gĩkũyũ “Promisquity”

Written by: MUKUYU

hen a traditional Gĩkũyũ man found a spear planted upright into the earth outside

his wife’s hut, he immediately took off to his hut, thingira, and waited for the
Wowner to pass by his hut as he went out. A man visitor for example a relative
without the intention of planting anything places his spear carefully on the roof of the
woman’s hut. On his way out the owner of the spear will casually greet his hostess’ husband

and say,

“Hĩ, Wanyua! Nyuma hau kũhoya mbakĩ”, meaning, “Hi! agemate! I was passing by to borrow
some snuff as I have ran out of it.”

Did you get any?
Ooh yes and quite good tobacco.
I see. Why dont you have a seat. I have some beer”
Thank you.

When we look at our forefathers’ sexual behaviour, we might think they were too promiscous
like the Mzungu did. The missionary with all his promisquity can show nothing for his efforts.

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