Media personality Julie Gichuru recently took to Instagram to share her joy as her eldest son reached a significant milestone in his life – the Ithemba ceremony, an Agikuyu cultural celebration marking the homecoming of young men from their initiation.
In her post, Julie explained the significance of the Ithemba ceremony, shedding light on the cultural practices and traditions involved.
She described how the riika, a group of boys undergoing initiation, separate from their families to embark on a journey into manhood, where they explore their histories, support each other, and build lifelong bonds.
The ceremony itself is a symbolic event, where mothers pray blessings upon their sons and symbolically hand them over to the custody of their fathers, marking the transition from childhood to manhood.
Fathers and uncles play a crucial role in providing support and guidance to young men during this transformative process.
Julie also highlighted the evolution of the Ithemba ceremony over time, incorporating faith-based learning and welcoming people from all communities to participate.
She acknowledged the program run by Dhahabu Themanini for its role in preserving and promoting this cultural heritage.
“This event has evolved over time to capture faith-based learning, as well as enabling people from all communities to participate. This particular program is run by Dhahabu Themanini,” she said.
By Pulse