Socio-cultural changes in the farming and use of miraa catha edulis in igembe, meru; 1940 -2014
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Date
2017
Authors
Kathata, Bernard Kiunga
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The study examined socio-cultural changes in the farming and use of Miraa (Catha
edulis) in Igembe District of Meru County in Kenya from 1940-2014. The Meru
comprises of nine sub-ethnic groups namely Chuka, Muthambi, Mwimbi, Igoji,
Miutine, Imenti, Tigania, Igembe and Tharaka. Miraa is grown intensively in Meru by
the Igembe and Tigania sub-ethnic groups. It is of prime economic importance for the
region as it feeds a growing national and international market. However, it is a
controversial substance because whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) and
several western countries have condemned it as a “drug”, the Igembe and Tigania
hold it dearly, emphasizing not just its economic role but also its place in the
community’s socio-cultural traditions. The literature review was based on the general
overview on the importance of Miraa to the socio-cultural life of the Igembe
community, the changes in it’s farming and use. The research was based on the socio conflict
and the socio-capital approaches as complementary to each other in order to
examine the traditional farming and its use; interrogate the reasons for the changes
and assess its effects on these changes. Primary and secondary data were used to
demonstrate the role that Miraa played and continues to play in the socio and cultural
growth of the Igembe community. The researcher employed questionnaire method,
face to face interviews, standardized interviews and observations. This enabled him to
assess the possible changes, effects and aspects of transformation over time and space.
A study sample from Igembe district comprising of Njuri Ncheke elders, Miraa
businessmen, members of the public administration (formerly provincial
administration), primary school Headteachers, members of the clergy were
interviewed as key informants. The study examined the enormous variety evident in
the social life of the Igembe Miraa and the role of Miraa in the creation and
manipulation of values. The research distinguished many different types of Miraa and
how the users associate themselves with certain varieties suggesting why some
varieties are more valued culturally and economically than others. The findings were
analyzed using descriptive methods. It was expected that the findings of the study
would make the government of Kenya see the need to have policy framework on the
farming and use of Miraa. The results of the study were also found to be useful to
academics for further research especially to the researchers studying roles of plants on
the culture of different communities in Kenya.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Arts (history) of Kenyatta University November 2017