System of Education, Initiation of Boys and Girls and Sex Life among Yong People Summary and Analysis

Kenyatta begins this section by noting that he hopes his analysis of the educational system of the Gikuyu helps Europeans understand the social structure of the Gikuyu and will help explain how this educational system helps unite the tribe. In the Gikuyu nation, the home is the school. The mother and nurse educate the very young through lullabies that discuss the history of the tribe and the family traditions. As they age, they are asked prodding questions to make sure they are learning about the family and traditions. They begin to play games and pretend to fight, using wooden weapons. They also often play house. Fathers teach their sons to weed and how to handle...