Preserving heritage: The Tharaka Community’s cultural revival

The ceremony begins with a traditional prayer, led by spiritual leaders, as everyone faces Mount Kenya.

In Tharaka Nithi County, at the base of Mutaranga Hill, culture thrives through a unique monthly ceremony that brings together clans from across the Tharaka community, led by the community’s elders. 

The ceremony begins with a traditional prayer, led by spiritual leaders, as everyone faces Mount Kenya. “Mwene Nyaga Thayu,” they chant. Then, another group of elders, equipped with traditional instruments such as drums and dressed in customary attire, takes centre stage for over two hours. 

Despite their age, the energy and passion they display are remarkable. The elders lead the group in singing traditional songs, some dating back decades, and share stories of resilience, wisdom, and the importance of culture among the Tharaka community. 

“We teach ourselves these songs. We love them so much that we come together and create them. They are purely traditional and reflect our culture,” said Luka Muteria, one of the elders. 

At the ceremony, a communal meal featuring traditional dishes, such as *Kathongo* (a mixture of flour and indigenous vegetables) and goat meat, is served. This feast offers a taste of the traditional culinary skills and agricultural practices that sustained their ancestors for generations. 

The Tharaka community is a Bantu-speaking ethnic group in Kenya, living on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. Their language is Kiitharaka. 

The community comprises 30 clans, including Gankina, Gankuy, Gantue, Igoro, Kagunda, Kamarao, Kamugao, Kamugemia, Kamugwe, Kamurige, Kanjiru, Kanjogu, Kanthakame, Kanyaga, Kanyaki, Kathoga, Rurii, Ndegi, Kirundu, Kitherini, Kithuri, Mbaaru, Mbura, Muruguru, Mwagitiri, Ncuri, Nyaaga, Ukuujiu, Utonga, and Mbogoni/Mutwa. 

Simon Mitambo’s advocacy for culture and biodiversity was heavily influenced by his upbringing near Mutonga River and Kijege Sacred Mountain, home to the Kiguru Sacred Spring.

Tharaka County may be relatively small, but its rich and vibrant cultural reputation precedes it. Historically, the Tharaka were agro-pastoralists, relying on subsistence farming of indigenous crops such as maize, beans, sorghum, millet, sweet potatoes, yams, and fruits. They also kept cattle, goats, and sheep, and practised beekeeping—traditions they still cherish today. 

Amidst rapid economic changes, urbanisation, and mechanisation, many communities in Kenya have seen their cultures fade. However, the Tharaka community remains steadfast in preserving its way of life. 

Over 400 people of all ages from Tharaka’s clans attend this monthly event, organised by the Society for Alternative Learning and Transformation (SALT), an organisation founded in 2013 to preserve the cultural heritage of the Tharaka community. 

SALT was co-founded by Simon Mitambo, who was inspired after visiting South Africa a decade ago. Witnessing their commitment to cultural preservation, he returned to Kenya determined to start a similar initiative. 

“I visited South Africa and was amazed. Despite being one of the most advanced countries on the continent, they have maintained their cultural heritage. So when I came back to Kenya, I decided to start SALT,” he said. 

Upon returning, Mitambo consulted the Tharaka community elders, who fully supported his plan to revive cultural awareness by educating younger generations. 

“I told them about the idea of reviving our culture, and they were very happy. In fact, they said it was something they had wanted to do for a long time. We decided to meet every month to discuss and celebrate our culture,” he stated. 

Mitambo’s advocacy for culture and biodiversity was heavily influenced by his upbringing near Mutonga River and Kijege Sacred Mountain, home to the Kiguru Sacred Spring. This passion, he revealed, was foretold by a diviner to his mother during his childhood. 

“When my mother lost sheep while grazing, she sought divination from Mukwarimburi M’Kaiguari, a lady diviner. To her surprise, Mukwarimburi predicted that her son would one day protect the Kiguru Sacred Spring and champion cultural preservation. My mother shared this prophecy with me when I turned 45,” Mitambo said. 

Through SALT, the community not only gets the chance to sing, dance, and showcase traditional attire but also reflects on the challenges facing their culture. Topics range from modernity’s impact on farming practices to the need for passing indigenous knowledge to younger generations. 

In 2022, SALT launched the “Grandmother’s Bench” initiative, where elders dedicate one day a week to teaching children about Tharaka traditions. 

At Pauline Karuru’s home in Nkurukuruni, the joyful chatter of children fills the air. Karuru has transformed her home into a cultural school for over 20 children. Some weave colourful beads, others knead animal skins to make bags, while others join Karuru to cook *Kathongo*. 

Karuru and five other elders—three women and two men—hold full-day sessions every Saturday, teaching children about the Tharaka way of life. 

Each session begins with a traditional prayer led by one of the children, followed by a song taught by their elders. 

“Every Saturday, we enjoy spending time with the children and teaching them the Tharaka way of life. We believe these activities will benefit them as they grow and hope they pass this knowledge to their children,” Karuru said. 

Male teachers instruct children on building traditional huts, herding cattle, and practising beekeeping, while female teachers teach cooking, beadwork, necklace making, and singing. 

Several kilometres away in Muthitwa, 63-year-old Julieta Kariungi runs another Grandmother’s Bench at her homestead. Among the 30 children attending her sessions is her daughter, Laurent Kathimi, aged 20, who serves as the head girl. 

“I want to grow up to be like my mum and the other elders. They’ve taught me so much about our way of life and where we came from. It’s been incredibly valuable,” Kathimi said. 

Visitors to Kariungi’s compound are greeted with lively singing and dancing. Everyone participates, dressed in traditional attire they’ve made themselves. The children eagerly showcase their skills, including necklace making, mat weaving, and crafting traditional bows and arrows. 

Mitambo emphasised that the Grandmother’s Bench programme relies on community elders volunteering their time, with SALT providing financial support to sustain the schools. 

Beyond technical skills, children are also taught essential life lessons, including love, unity, and responsibility. 

“I love teaching these children. I pray they grow up with discipline, love, and togetherness,” Kariungi said. 

Togetherness and love resonate across the Tharaka community. “We are all equal when we meet, no matter the clan,” said one elder at a SALT meeting. 

The Society for Alternative Learning and Transformation (SALT) is a partner of the African Biodiversity Network (ABN) collaborating in restoring biocultural diversity in Tharaka Nithin County, Kenya.