Research source

The thahu apparently affects the wife who lives in the hut, and she is apt to be attacked by a wasting disease

Date of account: Published 1922
Source: Bantu Beliefs and Magic With particular reference to the Kikuyu and Kamba tribes of Kenya Colony; together with some reflections on East Africa after the war
Reference: Bantu Beliefs and Magic With particular reference to the Kikuyu and Kamba tribes of Kenya Colony; together with some reflections on East Africa after the war · selected passage 61
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-25

Record summary

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

The thahu apparently affects the wife who lives in the hut, and she is apt to be attacked by a wasting disease. To remove the evil effects, a number of elders and a mundu mugo, or medicine man, are called in; they kill a ram or young ewe, which has not yet borne, near the door of the hut, and sprinkle the tatha inside the hut and at the door. They then take a rough brush made of twigs of the marario and mahoroa bushes and sweep up the tatha. This proceeding purifies the hut. They also sprinkle some of the tatha on the thatch over the door and put some muthakwa and mukenia sprigs in the place where the piece of thatch was taken.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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