Chapter XV 

 THE STORY OF MUNYAI 



Besides recording the story of the past, the Kiama 

 cherishes prophecies which have been uttered by its 

 members. It is to this organization that the early British 

 pioneers owed the friendly welcome they generally re- 

 ceived at the hands of tribal Chieftains. Although at 

 the time they may not have been aware of the fact, it 

 is true that these people, whom they regarded as bar- 

 barians, had been prepared from their youth to look for 

 the coming of the White Man. Indeed few realize how 

 much the Kiama has assisted British colonization in East 

 and Central Africa. 



To understand why the early British explorers were 

 welcomed and taken right into the hearts of the people, 

 one must have access to the prophetic teachings of the 

 Kiama. More than two centuries ago according to their 

 seers coming of the White Men was foretold. Such 

 prophecies have been handed down in story and song 

 until they were rooted deeply in the minds of the peo- 

 ple. There is that of Munyai which is one of the many 

 that particularly bears upon the subject. 



A long time ago there lived a wise and honoured 

 member of the Kiama, whose name was Munyai. He had 



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