| dc.description.abstract | This Thesis is the outcome of the research
conducted in Meru. The purpose of the research was to
examine the indigenous educational values taught to the
.Meru youths from the period they enter the age of
adolescence until they have been circumcised and
formally promoted to the status of adulthood.
Special emphasis has, however, been laid on
circumcision ceremonies and other related semi institutions
that provide the background to the
learning of the youth, before they are ceremoniously
initiated into manhood. The events that take place
during this process have been described chronologically.
An attempt has been made wO evaluate and elicit
as much of indigenous education taught to the youth
as possible.
In order to cover circumcision ceremonies
effectively, the writer divided the topic into eleven
Chapters. Chapter One deals with the introductory
account of the significance of pursuing indigenous
education among the Meru people and the rationale underlying
the study. This Chapter also deals with the
important literature which forms the basis for the
study of indigenous education and also the sources of
information for the thesis.
Chapter Two covers the Geographical background of
the Meru people. The major tribes bordering Meru District
are well marked and their influence to the Ameru is made
clear. The Chapter further considers the influence of
climate, topography and drainage to the way of life of
the Ameru and in particular their influence on the
circumcision ceremonies.
Chapter Three deals with the socio-economic background
of the Ameru. It covers major crops that are
usually grown in Meru; the types of livestock reared and
their significance in circumcision ceremonies. The
Chapter further, deals with economic use of the livestock
and crops hence their educational value to the
youth.
Chapter Four covers the orel history of the Ameru
as it is narrated to the youths. The Chapter deals
with the five migratory phases of the Ameru from
Misiri to the present Meruland, just as it has been
handed down from time immemorial. The Chapter also
analyses the inter-tribal link of Meru sub-tribes
and the way they have retained their identity ever
since they came from Misiri.
Chapter Five fully discusses the institutions that
form the background of advanced education. The Chapter
deals with some of the most important youth institutions
which impart Cu-lt-ur-alvalues before the youths are. circumcised. The junior youths' education forms the
basis for advanced education taught after circumcision.
Chapter Six discusses important seasons when
circumcision must be undertaken. It also covers the
deliberations of the elders, initial rites that must
be performed In order to pave the way for circumcision.
In particular the' Ntuiko/rukunyi' ceremony is discussed
in full since there is no circumcision that can take
place without first performing the Ntuiko.
Chapter Seven covers the activities of 'biiji' in
preparation for circumcision. The parties involved
in the preparation are fully covered.
Chapter Eight analyses the fundamentals underlying
the fixation of circumcision dates, election of the
incumbents, Lamale and other important personalities
during circumcision. The Chapter further deals with
educational values underlying certain objects used
during the swearing in of these persons.
Chapter Nine covers the events that take place
before the candidates are actually operated upon. The
Chapter deals with all rituals, dances and ordeals
that are administered to the youths before they are
circumcised and after they have been circumcised.
The traditional values imbedded in every stage
undertaken is fully discussed.
Chapter Ten analyses the educational undertakings
that take place as soon as the youths join 'Gaaru ya
nthaka' until they resume normal life. Chapter
Eleven is basically a summary of the whole thesis
and the writer's recommendation,
The writer has used quite a number of Kimeru
words which are translated into English on the
Glossary. These words portray philosophical meaning
conceived locally and they do not have English
parallel or adequate English description. Thus
each word is placed near the item under description
for its proper and meaningful use • | en |
