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ranging from the fierce wild animals to the weather, not to mention the enemy or robber that might be lurking in the bushes along the trade routes - njira cia a^endi. Trade, however*, was largely in the hands of women, and was certainly not the sort of job that appealed to self- respecting warriors or elders. Consequently, as far as the male popu lation was concerned, this was left exclusively in the hands of the poor men who were unworthy of military service due to physical disabilities or those who had no compunctions in engaging in such menial tasks. All told, there were few men who engaged in trade as they had no immunity like that which was extended to the womenfolk on trading expeditions. The women traders were drawn from the married middle-aged, but still strong, age group, lest unmarried gixfLs excite the covetousness of the Kamba or the Maasai warriors. A trading expedition was invariably led by a hinga who knew the terrain well otherwise it would be difficult to
locate the Maasai because of their seasonal transhumance. All the hingas knew the Maasai language well, being either Maasai descendants or having lived amongst them. The traders to the Kamba and Maasai countries were afforded hospitality in the villages or manyattas, which became the centres of their trading activities. More often than not, the traders established themselves in the homes of relatives, friends, or acquaintances. And in many cases particular Kikuyu localities, traded with particular Maasai localities. It was of course an added advantage to have relatives among the Maasai, as this not only ensured a welcome hospitality but also gave them ample assurance of their safety and chances for success. This feature had important repercussions on the relations
between the Kikuyu and the Maasai; it enabled relatives on both sides to keep in touch with each other and also facilitated even further
cooperation between specific Maasai and Kilcuyu localities. On occasion temporary trading markets were established at the borders, and especially during the famines, when it was deemed essential to trade on ailarge
scale in order to avert starvation among the Maasai. To the Maasai, and Kamba during famines, the Kilcuyu offered a variety of foodstuffs such as n.jahi (dolichos lablab), maize, several varieties of millet flour, dried banana flour, green bananas and sugar cane. Other items of trade that the Maasai sought were honey, tobacco, earthenware cooking pots, a variety of calabash containers, spears, swords and red ochre. At normal times the Kamba sought first and foremost ivory and tobacco. In exchange for these items, the Kikuyu obtained beads, brass and iron wire, salt and cowrie shells, which had been obtained from the coast, and livestock. But each group offered special items - the Kamba offered poisons, medicines, chains, snuff boxes, bows and arrows and iron ore from the Ithanga Hills, while the Maasai offered skins, leather cloaks or livestock.
There was also considerable internal trade among the Kikuyu them selves. Indeed internal trade was probably more important and affected a larger population than the external trade. All transactions were in the form of barter, although by the end of the 19th century iron pieces, goats and beads were increasingly becoming forms of currency. The internal trade was well organized, and in Murang'a and Nyeri markets were held every fourth day. Among the oldest and best known markets were Gakindu, Gacatha, Karatina, Giitwa and Muthithi. On market days
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no other functions of any significance took place in the vicinity of the market and, even if there were feuds or fighting' going on between the ridges, these were halted on that particular day. Law and order was kept by a group of warriors whose responsibility it was to super vise the market. A variety of commodities were bartered in these
markets; on one hand were the agricultural products which were bartered for the traditional handicrafts produced by the specialists. And on the other hand were other rare commodities, such as cowrie shells and beads, which the more adventurous members of the community had obtained from the Maasai or Kamba. The latter were highly valued for their aesthetic value and consequently were only bought by the well-to-do Kikuyu. The market gave those who confined themselves to farming a
chance to exchange their foodstuffs with iron implements, salt, red ochre, pottery and leather garments. Some localities specialized in particular commodities. Cnturi and the contiguous areas, for example, were reputed for their poisons, medicines, tobacco and a host of iron goods such as knives, swords, spears and arrows,. Gakindu too was
known for its grinding stones and tobacco. The area around the ITyeri/ Murang'a border seems to have been foremost in trading enterprises; not only did it extend its trade to the other parts of Kikuyuland but it had also trading contacts with Kamba traders. And they have retained their business acumen up to date. Inter-district trade was however restricted to the exchange of agricultural products and the few items made by the specialists except in times of famine. Murang’a sold red ochre, pig
iron, iron implements and tobacco to ICiambu in exchange for soda, skin garments, beads and cowrie shells which the ICabete obtained from the passing caravans or the Maasai• A similar pattern of trade existed between Murangfa and Nyeri. Throughout ICikuyuland there were well- kept roads, n.jira cia agendi (foot highways), from I'Tyeri to Kiambu,
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with bridges at the appropriate places. These trade routes were cleared during the ituika in particular.
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