MWININYAGA, THE GREAT \gTilTE SPIRIT 



work of religious instruction is left to the elders and 

 fathers of the tribe. 



The sacrifice to N'gai is most impressive and is cal- 

 culated to convey an awe-inspiring sense of the near- 

 ness of the Creator. This ceremony is performed in the 

 open under a sacred tree, which, so far as I have ob- 

 served, is generally a Mugumu, or Parasitic Fig. 



The Kikuyu sacrifices remind one very much of the 

 Hebraic sacrifices described in the Old Testament. The 

 meat offering and drink offering both enter into it, and 

 often take place at the same time, prayer invariably 

 being offered to N'gai, the High God. 



The drinking of N'johi, or native beer, made from 

 the sugar cane, follows the sacrifice two days later, one 

 day being given up to the brewing and preparation of 

 this drink. It is of interest to note that only the old men 

 take part in this religious rite, which is far more like 

 a parochial prayer meeting than anything else I have 

 seen. The participants sit round in a circle in the se- 

 clusion of a hut, and each in turn offers up prayer, 

 while at intervals all the company respond "N'gana, 

 N'gana" (Amen, Amen) . The N'johi is passed round 

 in a cup which is replenished from a large calabash. The 

 prayers offered on such occasions have a very close re- 

 semblance to certain of the Psalms. For instance, a com- 

 mon form of request runs thus: — "That our flocks and 

 herds may be increased, that our wives may be fruitful, 

 and our children be healthy and that we may become 

 rich in the land." That they may have children is a very 



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