How Mumburo / Muhiiro Dance of the Agikuyu Is Performed

Mumburo (called Muhiiro in Murang’a County) is a traditional dance and singing game performed by Agikuyu boys several days before initiation. Its main purpose is to show elders that the boys are ready for circumcision, both physically and mentally.

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1. Preparation and Costume

Before performing, the boys undergo special preparation:

Body Decoration & Clothing

Boys paint their entire bodies white, symbolizing purity and readiness.

They wear goat skins cut into long strips, placed:

Around the neck

Around the waist

Around the waist they also wear thira — short pieces of millet stems sewn onto strings.

The rest of the body is usually left bare as part of the traditional dress.

Instruments & Ornaments

The rhythmic accompaniment includes:

Kigamba – leg rattles

Njingiri – jingles

Cast-iron rattles sewn onto:

Ndome (shields)

Thira (waist ornaments)

2. The Dance Formation

Contest-Like Arrangement

Boys from different villages come as teams.

They meet as if in a competition.

A line is drawn on the ground.

Each team stays on its own side of the line.

Shaking of Shields -During singing, whenever the leader mentions a boy’s name in the song:

That boy shakes his shield to acknowledge and show pride.

3. The Dance and Singing

Call-and-Response Style

There is always a leader (muthambi) who sings the lines.

The group of boys responds in chorus.

This continues rhythmically with stamping, shaking rattles, and shield movements.

Shoulder-Pushing Contest

If any boy crosses the line to the other team’s side:

A scuffle begins—a traditional shoulder-pushing contest.

Boys use long strips of kibenia (a tough wood) tied to their arms for protection.

It can get rough, and:

Fearless boys stand their ground

Cowards often run away

This pushing contest tests:

Strength

Courage

Readiness for the initiation rite

Music and Rhythm

Leg rattles and shield rattles create a strong polyrhythmic background.

The dance is energetic, loud, and vigorous.

4. Participation of Women and Elders

Women

Women do not take part in the dance.

They attend to:

Witness

Make ululations (ngemi)

Produce sharp trilling sounds of encouragement.

Male Adults

Adult men must be present to maintain discipline and supervise the boys.

5. Winning the Contest

The dance continues with singing, dancing, and pushing.

Eventually, one team dominates and wins the contest.

Victory symbolizes strength, unity, and readiness for initiation.

6. Other Styles of Mumburo

In some variations:

Boys

Carry wooden shields decorated with beads.

They dash these shields vigorously to create sound and rhythm.

Girls

Girls have their own parallel groups.

Dressed heavily in ornaments, they:

Dance at crossroads and outside homesteads

Blow whistles

Sing loudly, offering greetings and good wishes to onlookers.