Introduction

It is in the former central province. Its capital and largest town is Murang’a which was called Fort Hall in colonial times.

It is considered home of the Gikuyu and has a population of 942,581 according to2009 census.

Over the years, Murang’a has become a site for placement of Peace Corps volunteers. Murang’a County borders Nyandarua to the west, Embu to the east, Nyeri to the north, Kiambu to the south and Machakos and Kirinyaga counties to the southeast and the northeast respectively.

Majority of the residents of this county belong to the mainstream Christian denominations including catholic and Protestants.

Constituencies 

It consist of 7 constituencies 

1. Kangema Constituency
2. Kigumo Constituency
3. Kandara Constituency
4. Kiharu Constituency
5. Mathioya Constituency
6. Gatanga Constituency
7. Maragwa Constituency

Physical features 

Murang'a is also the source of many big rivers:

• River Maragua which originates from the heart of the Aberdare ranges.
• River Mathioya,
• River Kayahwe,
• River Irati,
• River Muriurio

Mountains

• Aberdare Mountains

Hills

• Kakuzi Hills
• Kiambicho Hills
• Maji Tamu Hills

 Importance of physical features

• Tourist Attraction.
• The forest is a water catchment areas.
• They provided places for worship.
• Natural habitat for animals and birds.

Main types of natural vegetation 

• Forest vegetation

Importance of vegetation

• Abendare forest forms the natural habitat to wildlife

Map of the Distribution of natural vegetation

People and population

Language groups 

The dominant language group in the area is the Gikuyu

Other communities including Kamba, Meru, Embu, Luhya and Indians who are primarily involved in running small to medium-size trade businesses in major towns of the county.

Areas of high population density

• Murang’a town has the highest population

Areas of low population density

• Gatanga Constituency
• Maragwa Constituency

Social relations and cultural activities

The traditional way of life

Food

• Gītheri (maize and beans), Mūkimo (mashed green peas and potatoes), Kīmitū (mashed beans and potatoes), Irio (mashed dry beans, corn and potatoes), Mūtura (sausage made using goat intestines, meat and blood), Ūcūrū (fermented porridge made from flour of corn, millet or sorghum)

Dressing

• They have different types of clothing for different age sets, Children wear animal skins around their waist, and the upper body normally has nothingThis was also done by men, they covered themselves up to the knees with shukas.Women normally had their whole bodies covered with a shuka that is tied on their left shoulder and extends all the way to their ankles. They also wear earrings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets that are made from multi-colored beads and cowrie.

Songs and dances

• Song and dance was a way for young girls and boys to find their soul mates.It is also a source of entertainment. The tribe travels to less populated areas to respect the culture of dancing and feasting. This was a time for happiness, peace, and fun. The people of the Kikuyu tribe also have dance troupes or tribal groups that perform certain dance rituals or routines. These dances also tend to represent their values and beliefs. Unlike how we Americans dance today, Kikuyu men do not touch their women in any kind of way.
• Dancing is well respected and sexuality is viewed and observed which is why touching while dancing is not allowed. They also use their dancing socials to mingle and socialize. Just like other cultures such as Cubans and Americans, the kikuyu tribe has numerous types of dances such as, Nguchu, Nduumo, Mugoiyo, Gichukia, Ndachi ya irua, which all have a story or deep meaning behind them.

Traditional medical practices

• Collective tribal prayers and ceremonies were held under a Fig tree, Mugumo, facing Mt. Kenya but at a personal and family level all religious and magical practices centered around the Nyumba. Father C. Cagnolo in his book, The Akikuyu, 1933, records one such magical ritual where a medicine man is called by the family to undo a spell cast on a child. 

Ceremonies and festivals held

Ceremonies

• Birth and naming

Birth marked the beginning of life in traditional African societies. Various Kenyan communities had various songs and dances to mark the birth of a child. The kipsigis for example had the Yasset which they sung at the birth of a child. People danced not vigorously and it was strictly a dance for women. The husband stayed away from the house and only got information by women singing the Yasset.

The Kikuyu observe a unique ritual pattern of naming children, still followed strongly today.  The family identity is carried on in each generation by naming children in the following pattern:   the first boy is named after the father's father, the second boy after the mother's father.  The first girl is named after the father's mother, the second after the mother's mother.

• Initiation

For one to be up-graded from one age-group to another, from one class to another, he or she had to pass through certain rites. One such rite was initiation after which one graduated from childhood to adulthood. Initiation took various forms including circumcision, scarification and removal of lower teeth.

 

Festivals

• Harvest

They performed during drought to ask God to send them rain or to stop rain due to heavy flooding. Some songs were performed to thank God for the good harvest He had given to His people. During such occasions they offered sacrifices and also gave tithes.

The Agikuyu for example had a music known as Mucungwa, a dance where girls and boys danced during and after harvest. They danced in two lines facing each other with some movements to the accompaniment of leg rattles worn by boys.

• Music

The people of the Kikuyu tribe also have dance troupes or tribal groups that perform certain dance rituals or routines. These dances also tend to represent their values and beliefs

Resources and economic activities

Agriculture

Main cash crops include:

• Tea
• Coffee

Food crops include:

• Maize
• Beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Arrow roots
• Pumpkins
• Bananas

Areas where the cash crops are grown

Tea is grown in:

• Githambo
• Gatunguru
• Kanyenya-ini
• Kiru.

Coffee is grown in:

• Kanyenyaini
• Mihuti
• Gathima
• Kiharu

Types of livestock kept

• Cattle
• Sheep
• Goats

Fishing

Areas where fishing is practiced

• Aberdare Cottages and Fishing Lodge Murang’a.

Forestry

Major forests

• The Aberdare Forest.

Wildlife and Tourism

Type of wildlife

• Fish
• Monkeys
• Wide range of birds

Game parks and reserves

• Aberdare National Park

Major tourist attractions

• Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga shrine
• Aberdare National Park
• Rapids Camp Sagana
• Ndaka-ini dam
• Forthall Monument.

Industries

Traditional industries

• Mining including bricks for building
• Tourism
• Farming

Trade

Major trading centers

• Murang’a
• Kenol
• Kagema