My Suggestions

ĩtũĩka

n. · class 3/4

  1. a handing over or ceremonial transfer of responsibility from one generation-set to another; in addition to the annual circumcision or initiatory age-sets (see mũarika ma kahiũ) there were generation-sets (also called mũarika) each covering a period of thirty years or more, during which the duly qualified representatives were in authority and responsible for the conduct of public affairs; the transfer of responsibility involved the contribution of a goat or sheep from every accountable member of the incoming generation towards the redemption of the country from the outgoing set (see kũũra bũrũri); this process took many years. The best remembered of these ruling generation-sets, in receding order, are: Mwangi, Maina, Iregi, Ndemi, Mathathi, Cĩĩra, Cuma. The 'Maina' generation handed over to the 'Mwangi' about 1900; the latest, the 'Irũngũ' or 'Maina Kanyi' set, which is said to have been preparing to succeed the 'Mwangi' sometime between 1925-32, was prevented by the social and political changes brought about by europeanizing influences and by prohibition of the ceremonies by Government.

Example: there were generation-sets

Related words

  • ĩtũĩkũ — landslide; scar from erosion on a hillside; 2. bluff or cliff (caused by erosion