Mugwe: The Legendary Leader (Meru community)

The divine leader of the Meru people was called the Mugwe. The Meru are a Northeastern Bantu group composed of nine different sub-communities. Before the colonial era the name Meru referred to only five of the nine sections; the Igembe, Tigania, Imenti, Miutini and Tharaka. Each sub- community of the Meru had a Mugwe. The Mugwe were respected persons who made sacrifices and performed healing on behalf of the community.

The power of the Mugwe is a hereditary power, which has been handed down from father to son within the same family for generations. Today, with the arrival of Christianity, the cultural rites and functions of the Meru are fading away. The tradition of the Mugwe has now almost disappeared. In 2019, there was only one remaining Mugwe - that of Tharaka.

The Meru, believe that they came from the land of Mbwa in the south and settled in the North. They believe they were led by the great Mugwe. The North, among Tharaka is known as Urio, which translates to “the right hand”. Among the community, there is the saying that, 'the sun rises at the place of Mukuna-Ruku (Mukuna Ruku was an oppressive Arab in the East) and sets at the place and house of the Mugwe, in the West.'

Mugwe had magical powers and was believed to ‘see’ far. He was symbolically associated with the west because it was believed that Mugwe could not die. It was therefore at his dwelling place that the sun set.

The Tharaka have a saying, 'the sun, as the Mugwe, cannot fail to give its light and warmth, it cannot die, and therefore it sets at the dwelling of Mugwe in order to renew its power for the next day’. During the migration from Mbwa, the Tharaka were cared for by Mugwe who was both their father and elder.
Mugwe held a significant position in the society and because of that, the people focused on him. He was not to do any work or be involved in wars. He was fed and all his needs were taken care of by the community. His presence and rituals were important. His responsibilities were to protect his people from enemies, keep off drought, famine and diseases.

Mugwe also had a dual nature of sovereignty: he performed the complementary functions of both priest and king. This was crucial in ordering the social life of the people by the dualistic notions of religious authority and secular power. These notions were expressed in the opposition of secular and religious status. Political power was complemented by religious authority

Bonus Information
7 Steps of becoming a Mugwe:
Must be the first descendants of the first Mugwe.
Must be a son of the first wife or the first son of the subsequent wives.
Must be physically fit with no scars on his body.
Must be an upright man, of good reputation and discipline.
The Mugwe is banned from any type of labour, involvement in wars, excessive alcohol or indulgence in sex outside marriage or anything that is regarded as unholy in the Meru tradition.
Is banned from taking part in witchcraft.
Is maintained by the community.