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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did the government of the Gikuyu become eventually?

2. On what day is the woman admitted into the husband's clan?

3. What did the Gikuyus consider "white man's magic"?

4. When do the Gikuyu make sacrifices to their god?

5. How do the Gikuyu children gain physical strength?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the initiation of a Gikuyu girl.

2. What is circumcision required for among Gikuyus?

3. What happens when a man has a hut suitable for his wife?

4. What happens once all the dowry animals are paid to the parents of the bride?

5. How many wives does a Gikuyu man usually have? How many husbands does a Gikuyu woman usually have?

6. What are reasons for divorce in Gikuyu society?

7. Describe the stages of youth in the Gikuyu society.

8. What did the Gikuyu constitution state?

9. What is considered the sound of Ngai's movement? What is his weapon?

10. Whom do the Gikuyu worship as God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two of the following essay topics.

1) Describe the harvesting ceremony.

2) Describe the ceremony to chase away illness and disease.

3) Describe the communion of Gikuyus with their ancestors. What does Kenyatta compare it with in European culture?

Essay Topic 2

Choose two of the following essay topics.

1) Describe why Kenyatta is so well suited to write an ethnography of the Gikuyu tribe. What are his credentials?

2) Who is Bronislav Malinowski and how did he help Kenyatta with his book?

3) Explain Kenyatta's reason for writing the book.

Essay Topic 3

Choose two of the following essay topics.

1) In the "Conclusion" what does Kenyatta reiterate is so important about the Gikuyu culture.

2) Why does Kenyatta feel learning in the family environment is healthy?

3) Explain how reading "Facing Mount Kenya - Tribal Life of the Gikuyu" changed or didn't change your opinion of Africans. Do you now admire the Gikuyus ? Why? Why not?

(see the answer keys)

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