THE STORY OF MUNYAI 



when I have finished talking. Listen all of you well 

 to my words and answer me. Have I not served you well 

 as a member of your ancient council? Not only so, but 

 when you have brought your sick to me, have I not 

 healed them? When evil-doers have stolen your cattle 

 and sheep have I not sought out the culprits and brought 

 them to justice?" And to all his words, the Chiefs and 

 Elders answered "Namega," meaning good. 



And Munyai went on to say, "Yesterday you came to 

 me to ask me to pray to N'gai for rain, and rain has 

 come. Last night after you had returned to your homes 

 I prayed and slept, and in the middle of the night N'gai 

 appeared to me in a vision and he spoke to me and he 

 said, 'Munyai, your days are far spent, and very soon 

 you will pass on to sleep with your fathers. But after- 

 wards there will come into your land a strange people, 

 a people luith pink cheeks and pink ears, and when they 

 come the Kiama must listen well to their words, for 

 they are a wise people and will bring you good.' " 



Soon after delivering this prophecy Munyai died, and 

 was buried in the Katinga, a sacred grove, a little way 

 above his farm, and was granted all the honourable 

 rites due to his office. An unceasing pilgrimage was made 

 to the grove of his burial place, and his dying words 

 were treasured in the hearts of the people for they all 

 loved Munyai and believed in his teaching. 



Years afterward, when Sir Samuel Baker and Speke, 

 the first British Explorers, arrived in the country, the 



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