Traditional Kikuyu Symbolism
The Gĩkũyũ held a belief in the interconnection of everything in the universe (see Animism). To the Gĩkũyũ people, everything we see has an inner spiritual force, and the most sacred though unspoken ontology was that being is force. This spiritual vital force originated with the creation of the universe by Ngai, who became everything.
The Gĩkũyũ believed that everything Ngai created had a vital inner force and a connection to Him. To the Agĩkũyũ, Ngai was the supreme being and the giver of life force to all things.
Those who possessed the greatest life force were the first parents created directly by Ngai. They became the respected Grand Ancestors. These were followed by ancestors, then the immediate dead, and finally the eldest living members of the community.
The Gĩkũyũ believed departed spirits could be reborn through newborn children. They believed a person's life force could increase or diminish, affecting health. Some individuals could influence this inner force: healers (Mũgo) increased it, while witch-doctors (Mũrogi) diminished it.
They also believed ordinary items could be spiritually strengthened to offer protection, such as the gĩthiitũ. Thus, the Gĩkũyũ philosophy of religion and life centered on understanding that everything in the universe has an interlinked spiritual force.
The leader of the Gĩkũyũ people was believed to possess the greatest life force. They had to demonstrate exceptional truth (maa) and justice (kihooto), reflecting the character of Ngai.