Meru culture feted with song and dance

South Imenti MP Shadrack Mwiti (C) is given a colourful welcome alongside his wife by Marimba Dancers / TOM JALIO

Safari Park Hotel came alive on Saturday evening as proud ‘Merians’ convened for the fourth edition of Maambura Ja Meru (Rituals of Meru), an event celebrating the rich heritage, traditions and contemporary arts of the Meru community.

Guests arrived to a red carpet welcome with banana tree decor, a nod to the fact that Meru is the leading producer of bananas in Kenya. They were served gourds of ucuru (‘uji ya Kimeru’) on calabash bowls, and dined on authentic Ameru cuisine before settling down for entertainment.

Next to a stage with colour-shifting lights, they enjoyed energetic folk music from Marimba Dancers, cultural performances by Chuka Drummers, spectacular entertainment by Safari Cat Dancers and Acrobats, and vibrant Kimeru music by popular regional artistes Mr Cross, Muthengi Ndagara and headline act Karimi Bruno, who got fans to dance around the venue and join her on stage.

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In attendance were South Imenti MP Shadrack Mwiti and Meru Dairy CEO Kenneth Gitonga. The event was emceed by Muuga FM presenters Mwanontii and Kingwete Mugongoo.

Meru Dairy CEO Kenneth Gitonga is welcomed by Safari Park Hotel marketing representative Mercy Muhindi as Meru Dairy operations manager Michael Gitonga looks on - TOM JALIO

Nestled on the fertile slopes of Mount Kenya, Meru county is an agricultural powerhouse renowned for its rich volcanic soils and abundant rainfall.

A leading producer of tea, coffee, macadamia and miraa (khat), the region’s vibrant food crops significantly anchor Kenya’s agrarian economy.

Through song, dance and cuisine, Maambura Ja Meru immersed guests in the Ameru society, highlighting the importance of preserving and celebrating Kenya's diverse cultural heritage.

Karimi Bruno and Muthengi Ndagara join forces on stage / TOM JALIO

Marimba Dancers put their best foot forward / TOM JALIO

Mr Cross (with guitar) performs with back-up singers / TOM JALIO

Safari Cat Dancers and Acrobats perform / TOM JALIO

On the sidelines, participants viewed exhibitions by event partners, many of whom were either based in Meru or founded by Merians.

They included Kionyo Premier Teas, Chuka University, Yetu Sacco, Kenmeat Limited, Rosapharm, Broad Vision and New KPCU.

Other partners included Meru Central Dairy Co-operative Union Ltd (the makers of Mount Kenya Milk), Global Digital Centre, County Guards Limited, Amonex Exhibitions, Samumwa Limited, Tharaka University, Farmer's Choice and Aligen.

The hosts, Safari Park Hotel, also had a stand advertising their packages, from weddings to graduations to Christmas and other themed events.