Kikuyu in Kenya

The Language School in Kenya

Learn Kikuyu Language Now. Short  Courses Available.

Learning Kikuyu Language in Kenya

The Language School in Kenya offers short courses in Kikuyu language. Furthermore, learning Kikuyu language gives you the opportunity to learn the Kikuyu culture. The Kikuyu lessons target Kenyans in the diaspora who want to learn Kikuyu.

Similarly, foreigners will find it useful. Learning Kikuyu language will enhance your connections with the Kikuyu nation.

Additionally, we offer Kikuyu lessons for kids, teens and youth who have grown up in urban centers. Your kids now have the opportunity to learn Kikuyu language. We have integrated Kikuyu culture, the origin of Kikuyu into our Kikuyu lessons.

Kikuyu Language - Kikuyu Tribe

Kenya is a melting pot of more than 68 distinct cultures. We pride ourselves in living in harmony among such a cultural diversity. Each ethnic group has its own unique language. And so is the Agikuyu people who speak Kikuyu language. You can now join our Kikuyu classes and learn Kikuyu language.

Among the more than 68 languages spoken in Kenya, the Kikuyu language is the most widely spoken. It comes after English and Swahili. According to 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census results, 8.14 million Kenyans speak Kikuyu.

The Kikuyu language is Niger-Congo Bantu language group. It has four main mutually intelligible dialects. It is spoken widely in Central Kenya from Nyeri to Nairobi city.

In addition to myself, the Kikuyu tribe are very industrious. Their success story is clearly visible across all sectors in Kenya and beyond. They are often the talk of other Africans as an example of success. Furthermore, they own and control most businesses in Kenya. That’s one reason to learn Kikuyu.

Kikuyu woman in traditional Kikuyu costume

Our Courses

COURSE OUTLINE

Our Kikuyu language syllabus mirrors the Kenyan primary school curriculum for Kikuyu language. Moreover, it is the same curriculum used to teach kids in lower primaries in rural areas.

For the most part, the Kikuyu language is still taught in some of these schools although it is usually not examined.

A general Kikuyu language course covers all the Four Language Skills:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Listening
  • Speaking

We organize individual or private classes to meet each learner’s unique needs. The schedule is customized according to the learner’s calendar depending on their availability.

Moreover, we offer specified Kikuyu language course tailored to cater for specific objectives.

This custom-made arrangement include Kikuyu language articulation. It is useful for learners who what to be able to improve their conversation.

Lastly, it can be helpful to conduct business especially in Kikuyu language or with Kikuyu people.

THE CONUNDRUM OF GLOBALIZATION

UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH

Urbanization is a great idea whose time has come. And so is globalization! They both have their own benefits. However, like everything else, they too have their downside. This is truer for the development of vernacular languages.

As such, the world has experienced unprecedented globalization and urbanization. This started since the beginning of the 20th century and continues to this day. This is partly due to the explosion of information and communications technology.

Many Kikuyu have moved from their native homes into towns, cities and other countries. This is because of enhanced opportunities on the other side of the world. Similarly, pursuit of careers, education or personal ambitions are other factors.

THE DRAMA

Globalization therefore poses a serious threat to the development of local languages. For instance, some parents migrated from their homeland in Central Kenya to the US. Their children born in the US may lack Kikuyu language skills.

Imagine the drama in family reunions in the village with kids who cannot communicate with their grandparents?  You are right. It might be hilarious, sometimes bordering on the bizarre!

Why not bring your kids to the Language School in Kenya to learn the Kikuyu language and prevent these awkward moments?

COPING

The 21st Century has seen the whole world becoming a global village. This is due to rapid globalization and enhanced international relations. There has been marriage between communities in Kenya.

Likewise, this is happening between different nationalities globally. This includes the Kikuyu vs others.

One of the key factors that contribute to success in marriage is good communication. And so does mutual understanding.

Are you a Kikuyu married to a foreigner in Kenya? Your kids could be struggling to speak Kikuyu language. You can now help your kids to learn Kikuyu language at The Language School in Kenya.

This will give your relationship a new direction with meaningful conversations. You will thank me later!

If you live abroad, we offer online Kikuyu classes via zoom, Google classrooms and other online platforms.

EXAMINATIONS

The school regularly administer Continuous assessment tests (CATs). This helps to evaluate your progress. Similarly, it helps to highlight your weaknesses in order to give more attention to these areas.

At the end of the course, the school will issue you with a course completion certificate. We ask you to purchase the required study materials before the start of the course. However, the school may upon request, help you to purchase the materials.

The study materials include textbooks and listening CDs. Others are interactive digital platforms and Internet.

LEARN KIKUYU ONLINE

Have you ever imagine being able to learn Kikuyu classes from the comfort of your home? What about your office, or even while out if the field? Isn’t this wonderful?

You can now learn Kikuyu online at at your own convenience, pace and rhythm. Moreover, this will save you the time you waste commuting to and from school.

Additionally, it will  save you some money which you could have used in transportation. Oh, did I even mention escaping the unimaginable traffic jams?

The benefits of learning Kikuyu online are undebatable. You can join our online Kikuyu classes and see how fast you progress!

ENROLLMENT

Our school calendar is very flexible especially for private students. Private lessons start any time we have a new student.

For regular classes, we have new classes at the beginning of every month.

Why Learn Kikuyu ?

  • First and foremost, learning Kikuyu is always an exciting adventure. You may need it to advance your career.
  • It is also useful while traveling to Kikuyuland. Or still, you may just be a lover of the Kikuyu language. Whatever the case, multilingual abilities place you above the crowd.
  • In addition, the Kikuyu tribe excel in the business arena in Kenya. In fact, Kenyan business lingo is rich in Kikuyu words. They are said to know all the back streets of trading. Therefore, the Kikuyu language is naturally viewed as the language of business in Kenya. it will enhance your business connections.
  • Lastly, it is an excellent way to connect with your Kikuyu roots. This is truer if you did not grow in Kikuyuland or among other Kikuyus. Moreover, you will learn a lot of cultural aspects. This includes Kikuyu proverbs.

The History of the Kikuyu Tribe

KIKUYU PROVERBS

The Kikuyu, just like many African communities, are rich in proverbs. As such, Africans used proverbs to educate the youth and also to pass coded messages. They held Kikuyu classes informally at home.

So, what is a proverb?

A proverb is a short, pithy saying that expresses a traditionally held truth or piece of advice, based on common sense or experience.

Further, a language distinctly defines it’s culture through several facets. An example of such important facet is proverbs. One element that of language that best encapsulates a society’s values and beliefs is its proverbs.

To be able to fully appreciate the richness of the Kikuyu culture, it is therefore important to take some Kikuyu classes and learn Kikuyu and some proverbs.

50 INTERESTING KIKUYU PROVERBS

  1. Agikuyu moi kuhitha ndia, matiui kuhitha uhoro

 

  • Literal meaning: The Kikuyu know how to conceal their quiver, but do not know how to conceal their secrets.
  • Deeper meaning: In as much as a Kikuyu knows how to conceal his/her arms, keeping a secret from his tribes’ mate is always problematic.

 

  1. Ageni eri matiri utugire
  • Literal meaning: Two guests (at the same time) have no welcome.
  • Deeper meaning: If two visitors arrive at the same time the attention of the host is divided.

 

  1. Ageni eri na karirui kao
  • Literal meaning: Two guests love a different song.
  • Deeper meaning: When you receive two visitors at the same time, you cannot treat them in the same manner. This is because they have different tastes.In order to entertain them well, effort is required.

 

  1. Aikaragia mbia ta njuu ngigi
  • Literal meaning: He is a man that looks after money as ‘njuu’ looks after locusts. *‘Njuu’ is a bird which accompanies migrating locusts to feed on them.
  • Deeper meaning: Always wanting more

 

  1. Aka eri ni nyungu igiri cia utugi
  • Literal meaning: Two wives are two pots full of poison
  • Deeper meaning: The more women you have in your house, the more

troubles you should expect. Women like quarreling.

 

  1. Aka matiri cia ndiiro no cia nyiniko
  • Literal meaning: Women have no upright words, but only crooked ones
  • Deeper meaning: Women conceal what they know, keep no secrets and seldom tell the truth.

 

  1. Aka na ng’ombe itiri ndugu
  • Literal meaning: Wives and oxen have no friends
  • Deeper meaning: A woman should not be shared. She should only leave her house three times: when she is christened, married, and buried.

 

  1. Andu maiganaine magithii na magiceera
  • Literal meaning: Men are equal when they are going and walking
  • Deeper meaning: One can notice a difference between man and man when they are in command or working. However, you cannot notice on the road where they look quite the same.

 

  1. Andu matari ndundu mahuragwo na njuguma imwe
  • Literal meaning: People who have no secret agreement are beaten by a single blow.
  • Deeper meaning: A group of men not bound by a secret will be easily beaten by a single man. Lack of unity spells weakness.

 

  1. Andu matiui ngamini
  • Literal meaning: Men do not know liberality
  • Deeper meaning: It is “give and take” with men. Always expecting return of favors.

 

  1. Andu matiui ngu, moi ithendu
  • Literal meaning: Men do not know hard firewood,
  • Deeper meaning: People put aside hard tasks and devote themselves only to easy ones.

 

  1. Andu me muoyo matiagaga wira
  • Literal meaning: Life men do not lack work
  • Deeper meaning: Life would be too smooth if it had no so much steep slopes in it.

 

  1. Angimituiria na umirite ndangimiona rikii
  • Literal meaning: He who seeks his goat with the man who ate it, is certain not to find it.
  • Deeper meaning: This proverb warns against deception.

 

  1. Arume mari rwamba
  • Literal meaning: Men have got quills
  • Deeper meaning: Do not annoy others because they will respond by hurting. Do evil and wait for pay back

 

  1. Bata ndubatabataga
  • Literal meaning: Necessities never end
  • Deeper meaning: He that will have no trouble in this world must not be born in it. Strangles are for everyone.

 

  1. Cia athuri inyuagira thutha
  • Literal meaning: The elders drink afterwards (i.e after the others)
  • Deeper meaning: Elderly people proceed in caution and are not as husky as young ones.

 

  1. Ciakorire wacu mugunda
  • Literal meaning: The food found Wacu in the field.The proverb has its roots in the legend narration of Wacu. She was the most despised amongst the wives of a rich man who was treated badly. He never given presents like her co-wives.

One day, when a banquet was being held at home, she went to work in the field. Since she knew there would be nothing for her at home. In the middle of the banquet a raven swooped down in the courtyard where the meat was being roasted. It snatched a big piece and brought it to Wacu in the field.

  • Deeper meaning: The Kikuyu use the proverb to say that God takes care of His people who are poor or disadvantaged.

 

  1. Cia kionje itigayagwo gitanakua
  • Literal meaning: The property of a helpless man must not be divided before his death
  • Deeper meaning: The reason is that what he has is all he has. He is unable to get anything more than he already possesses.

 

  1. Cia mucii iri gacuguma gacio gatathukagio ni muthuri ungi tiga mwenegwo
  • Literal meaning: Home affairs have their staff, which cannot be brandished by anyone but the head of the house.
  • Deeper meaning: The proverb means either that private matters must not be told to strangers. In each house there must be only one voice of command.

 

  1. Cia mucii itiumaga ndira
  • Literal meaning: Home affairs must not go into the open
  • Deeper meaning: Do not wash dirty linen in public

 

  1. Cia mucii ti como
  • Literal meaning: Home affairs cannot be told to the public
  • Deeper meaning: Do not wash dirty linen in public

 

  1. Ciana cia ndigwa itiri maithori
  • Literal meaning: The widow’s children have not tears
  • Deeper meaning: It means that they have been accustomed to suffering at a very early age.

 

  1. Ciathanaga ikigua, itiathanaga ikiumbuka
  • Literal meaning: Birds agree when flying down, but do not agree when flying up.
  • Deeper meaning: This means that it is easy for a swarm of birds to alight together. However, it is difficult to get up together since after eating their fill they will each fly separately.

Morally, the proverb means that men easily agree when deciding on an enterprise. The same people will probably quarrel as soon as they have obtained what they want.

 

  1. Cia thuguri itiyuraga ikumbi
  • Literal meaning: Bought things do not fill the granary
  • Deeper meaning: Do not hope to become rich without cultivating your fields

 

  1. Ciatura nguyu iriaga ng’umo
  • Literal meaning: When there is shortage of figs, birds eat the fruits of the ‘mugumo’
  • Deeper meaning: The tree called ‘mugumo’ by the natives bears little fruits that birds do not eat. This happens when there is plenty of other food.

Similar in meaning to the English proverb “If thou hast not a capon, feed on an onion”

 

  1. Cia uthoni ciambaga nguhi
  • Literal meaning: The buying of a wife begins from a little thing
  • Deeper meaning: Great events have small beginnings. A journey of many miles begin with a single step.

 

  1. Ciigwatagirira mareru
  • Literal meaning: Goats fall that take hold of lichens
  • Deeper meaning: Lichens are not strong enough to prevent a goat from falling.

The proverb means that unsatisfactory excuses are insufficient defense. A drowning man will clutch at a straw.

 

  1. Cionje ikumi irugitwo ni umwe uri na hinya
  • Literal meaning: Ten helpless people were surpassed by a single strong person.
  • Deeper meaning: One strong person is better than a number of helpless ones.
  • Similar to the English proverb “One grain of pepper is worth a cartload of hail”

 

  1. Cira munene ni ukia
  • Literal meaning: A long lawsuit breeds poverty
  • Deeper meaning: Fools and obstinate men make lawyers rich. It’s better to resolve conflicts quickly.

 

  1. Cira munene ni wa uthoni igikua
  • Literal meaning: The breaking of a betrothal is no small matter.
  • Deeper meaning: Marrying a girls means giving a large number of goats or cattle to her family. Starting from the day of the betrothal the price is paid gradually.

Evidently it would be a great loss if the would-be husband breaks his contract and demands the return of the dowry.

 

  1. Cira wa kirimu utindaga kiharo
  • Literal meaning: The lawsuit of a fool keeps the court (sitting) all day
  • Deeper meaning: A foolish person never lets go of quarrels.

 

  1. Cira wa mucii ndumagirio kiharo
  • Literal meaning: Home affairs are not to be carried on in the public square
  • Deeper meaning: Do not wash dirty linen in public

 

  1. Cira wothe wambagiririo na nda
  • Literal meaning: Every case begins from the stomach
  • Deeper meaning: The Kikuyu kill an ox or a goat, roast and distribute it to judges. This is done at the beginning of every case. More commonly, this can mean that one of the most important roles in life is to provide something to eat. An empty belly hears nobody

 

  1. Ciunagwo rukomo, kimenyi akamenya ikiunwo
  • Literal meaning: We speak by proverb: he who is intelligent will understand.
  • Deeper meaning: It is the duty of everyone to figure out life.

 

  1. Ehera thakirio
  • Literal meaning: Clear out of the ‘thakirio’

*‘Thakirio’ is the place in the Kikuyu hut where the wife sits when distributing the food to the family

  • Deeper meaning: Similar to the English saying “Mind your own business”

 

  1. Gakiibatha ni koi ni karithoitha
  • Literal meaning: He who spends his time adorning himself knows he is going to a dance
  • Deeper meaning: There is a reason for everything

 

  1. Gakiihotora niko koi uria kariina
  • Literal meaning: He who adorns himself knows to what sort of dance he is going
  • Deeper meaning: Every situation is handled differently.

 

  1. Gakunywo kagira thooko
  • Literal meaning: A fool takes many people with him.
  • Deeper meaning: It is said of people who, when invited to a feast, instead of going alone, take others with them. A fool cannot bear his own company.

 

  1. Garurira mbeu ti ya kinya kimwe
  • Literal meaning: Change seeds by pouring different calabashes
  • Deeper meaning: It is good to introduce new blood. Be ready to accommodate change.

 

  1. Gatami kari mondo yene gatingikurutira wira
  • Literal meaning: The piece of cloth that is in another person’s bag does not patch your garment.
  • Deeper meaning: You can only help yourself with what is yours.

 

  1. Gathutha konagia mundu njira
  • Literal meaning: A little, contemptible path is sometimes the one that leads you to the highway. Little strokes fell great oaks.
  • Deeper meaning: It is used to encourage people to keep trying.

 

  1. Gatitu ka muimwo ni iri noko kari miti
  • Literal meaning: The forest of an unpleasant person is the one that has trees
  • Deeper meaning: The proverb means that evil-doers or bad people always seem to do well in life.

 

  1. Gatitu ka ngoro gatiunagwo
  • Literal meaning: The grove of the heart is not laid open.
  • Deeper meaning: You should always protect what is most valuable to you.

 

  1. Gatinyinyiraga gatari gakunye
  • Literal meaning: Nobody cries that has not been pinched
  • Deeper meaning: Similar to the English peroverb “No smoke without fire”

 

  1. Gatuma kainagia murigwa
  • Literal meaning: Darkness caused to dance even him who cannot
  • Deeper meaning: Desperate times calls for desperate action.

 

  1. Gatundu koragithirie Watatua
  • Literal meaning: secret agreement enabled people to kill Watatua

*Watatua was a powerful Chief, invincible in open combat, who was killed at night by a few men.

  • Deeper meaning: With good planning and keeping things to yourself, even that which seem impossible can be achieved.

 

  1. Giathi githaragio ni gaka kamwe
  • Literal meaning: A market can be spoilt by one woman
  • Deeper meaning: One cloud is enough to eclipse the sun. It only takes one bad element to turn a good thing worthless.

 

  1. Giathi kiri murugirwo
  • Literal meaning: Every feast has its guest of honor
  • Deeper meaning: Everything is special on its own means.

 

  1. Giathi kiriagwo ni kingi
  • Literal meaning: One appointment is overtaken by another
  • Deeper meaning: Events do not always happen as planned.

 

  1. Giathi kiumu no kia murokero
  • Literal meaning: The only difficult appointment is that of circumcision.
  • Deeper meaning: The Kikuyu circumcision is a civil and religious rite. It is by which the adolescent is admitted into the public life of the tribe. He therefore becomes a man in the full possession and exercise of his rights. The ceremony is physically painful.

However, the candidate is expected to face the operation without wincing. There are not gains without pains.

Study Options For Kikuyu Classes

The study options for Kikuyu language are dependent on the circumstances of individual students.  This also applies to all the other languages offered at the Language School in Kenya.

Moreover, we aim at making the learning Kikuyu classes experience in our school fun and as comfortable as possible.

Normally, regular Kikuyu classes start at 9.00 am and continue throughout the day until 5.00 pm in the school premises on week days. You can thus choose to take Kikuyu lessons of between 2-5 hours at any time between the class hours according to your preference.

If you have other commitments during the day, we have early morning and evening classes. This arrangement can as well apply on weekends.

To summarize, the you determine your own timetable. This depends on your convenience, needs and availability. We also arrange make up Kikuyu classes if you miss classes with good reasons.

Lastly, we can conduct Kikuyu classes at your home or at your office for your convenience. This ensures you learn Kikuyu conveniently.

Duration for Each Level

There are FOUR levels covered under our Kikuyu curriculum.

  • Level A1 = 120 hours.
  • Level A2 = 120 hours.
  • Level B1 = 180 hours.
  • Level B2 = 180 hours.

The duration required to learn Kikuyu language largely depends on the study option chosen by the student. In this case, the different study options for the Kikuyu classes are described as follows:

Option Hours per day Lessons per week Hours per month
Extensive 1.5 3 18
Standard 2 3 24
Semi intensive 2 4 32
Intensive 2 5 40
Super intensive 3 5 60
Immersion 5 5 100

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