Just wondering if there is anybody who knows where Maina was derived from.Am quite interested since the name is shared BETWEEN, Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Maasai, samburu,kisii and even the luo, Its however turns Feminine in some communities.

Maina in Gikuyu is the father of Mwangi generation. It is the a generation under ituika system. Normally used in place of naming the specific person: so a person of Mwangi generation could name his son Maina in recognition of his father. In some cases this was done for out-of-wedlock children - allowing any person of the generation to be claimed as having been named. Why do other groups have the same name? No idea.

Ni wega Kamundu ni gututariria hau.Ii ngurie ri Irungu na Njaramba mokagira kuu? Ona gutuika tiguo mwene ndereti ino akuendaga kumenya.

quote:

Originally posted by KaMundu Gatungu:
Maina in Gikuyu is the father of Mwangi generation. It is the a generation under ituika system. Normally used in place of naming the specific person: so a person of Mwangi generation could name his son Maina in recognition of his father. In some cases this was done for out-of-wedlock children - allowing any person of the generation to be claimed as having been named. Why do other groups have the same name? No idea.

Ni wega Kamundu ni bothi iyo.Am kind of confused when you say that Maina is the father 2the mwangi generation.As per what i know, Riika ria Mwangi nirio riika riria rikuru biu gikuyu-ini.Agreed?Then Maina and Irungu.
From some literature i came across some years ago they had the nine mariika ta oo. Gikuyu,Tene,agu,ndemi,mathathi,karirau,Mwangi, Maina and Irungu in that seqeunce.This must have been the oldest generations, probably before 1850.
Ngii ndune, Ndiri na uma hari uhoro wa Njaraba no ni ngu reserch.