Kinuku Wa Kombo: The Conjuring Warrior (Mbeere Community)

The legendary Kinuku wa Kombo lived in Mbeere South in Machang'a, near Kamburu Dam. Kinuku had strength comparable to none in the whole of Mt. Kenya region! He is said to have pulled a live mature bull Hippo from River Tana. He also possessed potent magical powers which he used to empower the arrows of Mbeere warriors such that when the arrows were shot, the enemy became paralysed and went into a trance!

Legend goes that, in his time, Kinuku was in charge of ceremonies for the two senior age sets among the Mbeere, Thathi and Nyangi. These agesets assumed control of the Matiri (sacred groves). The senior age sets accessed their respective sacred groves under the watchful eye of Kinuku. He also determined the appropriate time for sacrifice. In addition, the agesets maintained the groves as inviolable, prohibiting cultivation or the cutting of trees. These acts are still considered taboo (mugiro), and the violator is fined a goat for ritual slaughter to remove the imminent danger.

The senior age sets performed ritual sacrifices which the Mbeere conceived to be both complementary and opposed. The Mbeere believed that through the magical power of Kinuku, Nyangi and Thathi performed together in their respective rituals of sacrifice to ensure abundant rainfall and the health and vigour of children and livestock. The people of Nyangi were known as 'people of the rain' (andi a mbura) because their senior set sacrificed exclusively for rain in order to secure a good harvest.

Kinuku ensured that Thathi sacrificed in their sacred groves for the health and multiplication of children and livestock. With the Thathi sacrifice, it was hoped that a period of human and animal fertility and health would ensue. Accordingly, Thathi sacrifices tried to ensure plentiful amounts of the most valued wild honey. This made the Mbeere prosperous.

In addition, Kinuku knew that Thathi possessed warlike traits and therefore were the best ageset when recruiting warriors. Armed with magical powers and ferocious warriors, Kinuku increased intertribal livestock raids. The raids were associated with the dry season and Thathi sacrifices were feared because people believed they threatened the rains. The class became known as 'people of the sun' (andi a riia).

Kinuku was feared and loved. Through his extra-human powers, he ensured the prosperity of the Mbeere. His fame went beyond the borders of Mbeere land. He protected them from Akamba of Kitui, Tharaka and Chuka, Agikuyu of Kirinyaga and Maasai of Oldoinyo Sabuk.

Bonus Information
Mbeere territory, comprising more than 1,500 square kilometers in the southeastern part of Embu District, is an area of variable rainfall, soil types, and vegetation. It is divided into three ecological zones that fall away from Mount Kenya along a northwest-to-southeast gradient. Two of these three zones are agricultural and support banana and maize cultivation, and also sustains millet, sorghum, beans, and drought-resistant maize. This makes the area rich in food security which is important for an active and healthy life.