Little Looking East: Who is Enkai?

East African lore holds them in high esteem.

My favourite rendition of Ngai Narok (black) and Ngai Na-Nyokie (red). From Salim Busuru

Shared across East African tribes of Maasai, Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kamba is the Supreme God: Enkai (or N’gai, Engai, Murungu or Mwene Nyaga). The concept of an omnipotent god is not an alien one, as there are numerous retellings and versions of the creation and ruling of a Supreme God across all folklore all around the world: Zeus, Jupiter, Vishnu, Ukko, Amun-Ra, Olorun, Allah, Odin, Yahweh, Pangu…you get the idea.

Kikuyu mythology states that Ngai created humanity, the first man called “Gikuyu” and first woman called “Mumbi”. Thereafter, Ngai created a mountain as their resting place (referring to Mt. Kenya). In Kikuyu culture this supreme god is referred to as “he”.

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