HERITAGE
Men and women formed layers of circles, spiralled around a tree. The men placed the arms on the shoulders of women supporting their arms to point towards the tree, the women wove their arms around men’s waist’s reflecting the warp and weft of the Kiondo. The whole circle moved rhythmically around the tree representing the navel and axis of the world, nature.
Kiondo cone shape turned up side down is how the Kikuyu wove their living homes (Nyumba). With the navel at the top symbolising a connection to spiritual realms, spiralling to the the wider base signifying meeting earthly realities ~ Nature meeting the super natural in the home as a healing instrument.
Kikuyu women are deeply intertwined with their spiritual beliefs and their connection to the natural world. The guardians of the spiritual realm and were responsible for maintaining the community's connection to it through their spiritual practices and rituals. Highly valued for their agricultural skills and responsible for cultivating the land.
Kikuyu women known for their weaving skills and were responsible for creating Kiondo baskets, which were used for various purposes, including carrying food and storing grains.
KIKUYU HOUSE
MŨKŨYŨ’s blog
“Gĩkũyũ Centre for Cultural Studies”
Academic PHD Thesis
“Transformation of Kikuyu Traditional Architecture”
EXPLORE
As we weave connections, in the unravelling of threads, may Mwene Nyaga guide our steps...."Thaai"
