A Complex Polity
|Illustrations
Texte intégral
- 1 See Acknowledgements, Appendix A, Bibliography, and Illustrations credits.
1For various reasons, illustrations of the Meru are scant. Photographs (glass plates) by Ludwig von Höhnel during the William A. Chanler expedition in 1892-1893 are the oldest ones. Illustrations in Chanler’ book Through Jungle and Desert (1896) are etchings by Otto after some of these photos. We have been lucky to secure permission from Chanler’s great-great nephew to reproduce photographs kept in the Rokeby Archives, through the help of two Austrian academics of the University of Vienna1. The original glass plate negatives were all damaged during the expedition, and accordingly, the prints can be no clearer, nor in better resolution, than were the plates. This notwithstanding, the “prints” are unique, moving, and informative. Some are reproduced here.
2Except for two by Kolb (1894), the photographs that follow have been taken by various authors from the 1950s onwards. Diverse obstacles prevented us from reproducing documents from the National Museum of Nairobi, which are available in the original French version. Let’s hope that in the future more systematic research will be carried out to collect and preserve illustrations of the Meru people.
Ill. 1 — “Liria. Most influential man among the Embe” [Igembe], 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 258).
![Ill. 1 — “Liria. Most influential man among the Embe” [Igembe], 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 258).](docannexe/image/3442/img-1-small517.jpg)
Ill. 2 — The oldest map of the Nyambene Hills and Eastern side of Mount Kenya after surveys by Ludwig von Höhnel in 1892-1893 (in Chanler 1896: inside back cover).

Ill. 3 — “Chief Natives of the Embe”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 258). These elders are Igembe Fathers of the country.

Ill. 5a & b — “A charge of Wamsara [Muthaara]”, above: 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives, below: the etching by Otto (in Chanler 1896: 136).
![Ill. 5a & b — “A charge of Wamsara [Muthaara]”, above: 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives, below: the etching by Otto (in Chanler 1896: 136).](docannexe/image/3442/img-5-small517.jpg)
Ill. 6 — “Embe [Igembe] girl carrying wood”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 231). Most probably a young woman, given her bracelets and necklaces. On each side, tents of the expedition.
![Ill. 6 — “Embe [Igembe] girl carrying wood”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 231). Most probably a young woman, given her bracelets and necklaces. On each side, tents of the expedition.](docannexe/image/3442/img-6-small517.jpg)
Ill. 7 — Thaicu/Igembe small and big uninitiated girls (tûkenye and nkenye), both curious and staying away from the explorers, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives.

Ill. 10a & b — Warriors and uninitiated big girls (nkenye) dancing together (Igembe), 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives.

Ill. 14 — “Ndaminuki, an influential elder”, 1893-1894, (northern Tigania) (photo by G. Kolb, in Neumann 1898: 43).

Ill. 15 — “M’Mugambi (left), the Mugwe of the Igembe, and Muruku, the retired Mugwe”, 1955 (photo by Bernardo Bernardi, 1959: II; 1989: 1).

Ill. 17a & b — First heritagisation of African dances, above: Imenti big girls/young women, below: Imenti “warriors” Meru town 1961 (photos by Alastair Mateson).

Ill. 18 — Surrender of Mwariama (left), leader of the Nyambene Hills’ Mau Mau, to Mbio Koinange (middle) a representative of Jomo Kenyatta, Ciokaraine is on the right, Meru town, probably December 1963 (Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Information).

Ill. 20 — Women demonstrating following a drought that was set off, according to them, by a hunter who neglected to make the usual offerings after having killed a python terrorizing the area, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta).

Ill. 22 — Taking a break in a rural church, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta).

Ill. 23 — Blacksmith and his apprentice, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta).

Ill. 24a, b & c — Enteromancy of he-goat entrails carried out by a mugaa (diviner-healer), North Tigania, 1988 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 26a & b — The ethnographer and Kathure, her research assistant, at the potter’s home, Kunati, 1987 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 28 — Rope and mwonyo (salt from Igombe) traders, Kianjai market, 1988 (photo by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 29a & b — Sellers of honey kept preserved in leather and wood pots (kiempe), Kunati market, 1987 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 30a, b, c & d — Old women, from the Ncencenga set, Kianjai, 1987, Kîgûcwa, 1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 31a, b & c — Old men from the Ithalie set, Athiru Gaitî, Kianjai, 1988 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 32a, b & c — Women from the Mûkubu set, Kianjai, Kîgûcwa, 1988-1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Ill. 33a & b — Men from the Michubu set, Kianjai, Kîgûcwa, 1988-1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik).

Notes
1 See Acknowledgements, Appendix A, Bibliography, and Illustrations credits.
Table des illustrations
![]() | |
---|---|
Titre | Ill. 1 — “Liria. Most influential man among the Embe” [Igembe], 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 258). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-1.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 157k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 2 — The oldest map of the Nyambene Hills and Eastern side of Mount Kenya after surveys by Ludwig von Höhnel in 1892-1893 (in Chanler 1896: inside back cover). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-2.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 154k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 3 — “Chief Natives of the Embe”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 258). These elders are Igembe Fathers of the country. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-3.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 264k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 4 — “Wamsara [Muthaara] elders”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 136). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-4.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 188k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 5a & b — “A charge of Wamsara [Muthaara]”, above: 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives, below: the etching by Otto (in Chanler 1896: 136). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-5.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 298k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 6 — “Embe [Igembe] girl carrying wood”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 231). Most probably a young woman, given her bracelets and necklaces. On each side, tents of the expedition. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-6.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 216k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 7 — Thaicu/Igembe small and big uninitiated girls (tûkenye and nkenye), both curious and staying away from the explorers, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-7.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 218k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 8 — “Embe [Igembe] shepherds”, 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives (etching in Chanler 1896: 250). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-8.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 174k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 9 — Boys, Kianjai section, 1893-1894 (photo by G. Kolb, in Neumann 1898: 65). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-9.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 97k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 10a & b — Warriors and uninitiated big girls (nkenye) dancing together (Igembe), 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-10.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 478k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 11 — Young Mothers and young Fathers dancing together (Igembe), 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-11.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 215k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 12 — Mothers and Fathers getting ready to dance (Igembe), 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-12.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 153k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 13a & b — Mothers and Fathers dancing together (Igembe), 1892-1893 Rokeby Archives. |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-13.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 312k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 14 — “Ndaminuki, an influential elder”, 1893-1894, (northern Tigania) (photo by G. Kolb, in Neumann 1898: 43). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-14.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 64k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 15 — “M’Mugambi (left), the Mugwe of the Igembe, and Muruku, the retired Mugwe”, 1955 (photo by Bernardo Bernardi, 1959: II; 1989: 1). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-15.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 326k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 16 — Old man with njuri ncheke markings, 1970s (photo by Gordon Boy). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-16.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 196k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 17a & b — First heritagisation of African dances, above: Imenti big girls/young women, below: Imenti “warriors” Meru town 1961 (photos by Alastair Mateson). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-17.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 275k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 18 — Surrender of Mwariama (left), leader of the Nyambene Hills’ Mau Mau, to Mbio Koinange (middle) a representative of Jomo Kenyatta, Ciokaraine is on the right, Meru town, probably December 1963 (Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Information). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-18.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 173k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 19 — Mwariama at a public meeting, Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-19.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 193k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 20 — Women demonstrating following a drought that was set off, according to them, by a hunter who neglected to make the usual offerings after having killed a python terrorizing the area, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-20.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 187k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 21 — Threshing of sorghum, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-21.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 173k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 22 — Taking a break in a rural church, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-22.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 130k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 23 — Blacksmith and his apprentice, North Tigania, between 1965 and 1969 (photo by Andrew Botta). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-23.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 193k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 24a, b & c — Enteromancy of he-goat entrails carried out by a mugaa (diviner-healer), North Tigania, 1988 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-24.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 324k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 25a, b, c & d — Pots being molded and baked, Kunati, 1987 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-25.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 486k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 26a & b — The ethnographer and Kathure, her research assistant, at the potter’s home, Kunati, 1987 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-26.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 449k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 27 — Potters selling their pots, Kunati market, 1987 (photo by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-27.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 216k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 28 — Rope and mwonyo (salt from Igombe) traders, Kianjai market, 1988 (photo by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-28.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 124k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 29a & b — Sellers of honey kept preserved in leather and wood pots (kiempe), Kunati market, 1987 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-29.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 215k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 30a, b, c & d — Old women, from the Ncencenga set, Kianjai, 1987, Kîgûcwa, 1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-30.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 539k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 31a, b & c — Old men from the Ithalie set, Athiru Gaitî, Kianjai, 1988 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-31.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 398k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 32a, b & c — Women from the Mûkubu set, Kianjai, Kîgûcwa, 1988-1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-32.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 380k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 33a & b — Men from the Michubu set, Kianjai, Kîgûcwa, 1988-1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-33.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 340k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 34a & b — Quiet days downhill (Lairangi North Tigania), 1989 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-34.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 364k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 35a & b — Quiet days uphill (Kîgûcwa Market), 1993 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-35.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 300k |
![]() | |
Titre | Ill. 36a, b & c — Monuments in honor of the njuri ncheke, the Republic of Kenya, and the Mau Mau, Meru town, the first signs of the second heritagisation, 1988 (photos by Anne-Marie Peatrik). |
URL | http://books.openedition.org/africae/docannexe/image/3442/img-36.jpg |
Fichier | image/jpeg, 512k |
© Africae, 2020