Oral storytelling is a pillar of Kikuyu culture. Stories, known as ngano, were told by elders around the fire and served multiple purposes: they transmitted moral values, social norms and the wisdom of ancestors; they explained the origin of the world, spirits and natural forces; and they illustrated the relationship between humans and nature, often featuring symbolic animals as protagonists.
These stories were accompanied by songs, proverbs and riddles.
Narratives are also important in everyday activities: agricultural techniques are transmitted orally, decorative motifs in weaving tell family stories or symbols related to the clan and are passed down from mother to daughter.
