The Ameru Social Role of Gichiaro by Bishop Zacchaeus Murianki

THE AMERU SOCIAL ROLE OF GÎCHIARO (BLOOD-BROTHERHOOD)

This book expounds the role of Gichiaro among American of Kenya. The Gichiaro is a strong belief of mythical power pertaining to the kinship system. The Gîchiaro dynamic power acts mysteriously and selectively on members of the alliance. In this sense, it targets and controls peoples’ behaviors and customs on specified norms of social conduct. And acting by way of moderation, its values are deeply enshrined in tradition. Nonetheless, today, the phenomenon is losing social worth especially among the elites. The trend constrains people’s culture while giving leeway to the breakdown of families and disintegration of society. Therefore, from this valid exposé of Gichiaro and its “sister” Ngirani – it presents a realistic view. It clears misconceptions, agonized by many people in trying to curve and define their social position in the community. By so doing, we learn to appreciate and foster values that are in keeping with social order of the Ameru heritage.

The Ameru social role of Gichiaro (blood-brotherhood):

The author is a researcher in a social anthropology, and educationist from the Diocese of Meru. He holds B.A. in Religious studies from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary Nairobi, and M.A. (Education) from the Catholic University of America Washington D.C. 2002.

He is the author of The Ameru History and the Rise of Njüri-Ncheke, Kenya, (2022); and co-author to The Cultures in Peace Conflict Resolution within communities in Central Africa, (2016), Indigenous knowledge of the Ameru of Kenya, (2014). He is currently engaged in other indigenous researches.