Page "Kikuyu people" Paragraph 3

For many generations past, accident, geographic and political, had, until the coming of the European, preserved the Agikuyu from the access of almost any external influence or rule, and hence had never been subdued.

The Agikuyu used from time to time to imprint a lesson on raiders that was not forgotten.

Just before the arrival of the English people, Arabs were involved in slave trade and their caravans passed at the southern edges of the Agikuyu nation.

Slavery as an institution did not exist amongst the Agikuyu, nor did they make raids for the capture of slaves.

The Arab and slave raiders who tried to venture into Agikuyu country met instant death.

Relying on a combination of land purchases, blood-brotherhood ( partnerships ), intermarriage with other people, and their adoption and absorption, the Agikuyu had been and were in a constant state of territorial expansion.

Economically, the Agikuyu were great farmers-because there is a strong evidence that everybody knew that the Agikuyu country was full of food-and shrewd business men.

Besides farming and business, the Agikuyu were involved in small scale industries with professions such as bridge building, string making, Wire drawing, Iron Chain making and medicine.

In disposition the Agikuyu were naturally cheerful: merry, loquacious and laughter-loving.

Soon forgetting their troubles and lacking the spirit of vindictiveness.

They also had a great sense of justice ( kihooto ).