1. Gaichungi Baibuatho M'Mbarui, MOS 34.

2. See Fadiman, "Early History of the Meru," for additional detail on Meru origins and subsequent migration to Mount Kenya. All sketches in this chapter are drawn from this article.

3. Lambert, Systems of Land Tenure , 10.

4. "How the Meru Came to Their Present Country," typed manuscript, author unknown; originally collected by E. B. Home, first district commissioner, Meru, in 1918. Lambert Papers.

5. John Sharman, professor of African linguistics, Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi, personal communication, July 1970.

6. N. Chittick, "Discoveries in the Lamu Archipelago," Anzania 2 (1967):84, and personal communication, 1970.

7. Stigand, The Land of Zinj , 48.

8. R. Bunger, "Pokomo Political History and Organization," Discussion Paper, Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi, July 1970, and personal communication, July—December 1970.

9. Monro, "Migrations of the Bantu-Speaking Peoples, 25-28.

10. Holding, "Some Preliminary Notes on Meru Age Grades," 58-65, suggests that parallel systems of councils operated among females.

11. Lambert, "Social and Political Institutions," 439-79, Lambert Papers.

12. Mahner, "The Insider and the Outsider," 1-2, and personal communication, July—December 1970.

13. Fadiman, "Mountain Witchcraft," 87-101.

14. Laughton, "An Introductory Study of the Meru People."

15 Gerrard M'Ikaria (son of a foreteller), MOS 15; M'Anyoni wa Ntangi (former curse-detector), MOS 16; M'Rinkanya M'Ringui (former curse-detector), MOS 17; M'Mwiriria M'Murungi (former bow breaker, i.e., theft detector), MOS 18; Ngaruro M'Munyiri (former oath administrator: "oath of the hot iron"), MOS 19; M'Mukira Gakoro (former curse-remover), MOS 22; all from Imenti. No practitioners of Urogi (cursing) are included: no one in all Meru admitted to having practiced the rituals of Urogi at any time, although everyone believed that others did so.