Methali
(proverb)
Mbinu
hufuata mwendo.
Translation:
Method follows motion.
Other
translation: the swinging of hands of a walking person follows the movements of
the legs.
Mbinu1 - double jointed curve: Ana mikono ya mbinu - she has
double jointed hands.
Mbinu2 - method, strategy, tactic, device.
Mwendo - movement, motion
Mwendo
is derived from -enda which is a cognate from Proto-Bantu *-gènda,
which means to walk/to go. In Chichewa language, mwendo means leg.
Agĩkũyũ judicial
methodology
In
a court process there were judges who handled ten principles of justice.
Ideally, each principle is carried out by a separate judge/justice, based on
their reputation and expertise in the matter.
The principles were each handled in a methodological process from one step
to another. The names of the ten principles are expressed in a personified
manner for general public understanding. Personification is the representation
of a thing or abstraction as a person. In numerous civilizations, various
things and ideas are personalized to enable the general public to relate the
ideas to their own daily observations, for easier understanding. Some examples
include numerous types of places, especially cities, countries, and continents,
elements of the natural world such as the months or four seasons, four
elements, four cardinal winds, five senses, and abstractions such as virtues,
especially the four cardinal virtues and seven deadly sins, the nine muses, and
so forth.
The
ten principles, applied in order and correctly, constitute correct methodology
for the ultimate goal termed ‘Kihooto’ (justice). This is the last principle/step
and the ultimate goal in the process. The ultimate goal is the vector of movement
(mwendo), and this determines the method (mbinu). If the actors fail to apply method
correctly, then the ultimate goal (justice) won’t be arrived at. In general,
the first five steps are designed to determine the facts/truth of the matter,
and the remaining five steps to direct the resolution of the matter. It is important to note that the tenth principle/stage is an abstract ultimate goal which essentially didn't involve any human activity like the previous nine. This is illustrative of
It
is also important to note that these ten principles were also mirrored by ten
oppositional vices which were also expressed in personified terms. The ten
opposite vices often variably attack the ten principles at each stage depending
on their own relevance in opposing, and circumstances prevailing. Some stages
may get attacks from more than one opposing vice at a time. For example, it is
often said, that ‘Mũtema Kũũmũ’ principle/stage receives the most
intensified attack from multiple vices. This is the third principle/stage and
also happens to be the longest stage in a Gĩkũyũ judicial process.
Each
stage has very elaborate activities. The first five principles/stages are designed
for fact finding and analysis, while the last five principles/stages are
designed for articulation of judgment, information management and public
communication. Listed below are the ten principles of justice ‘Kĩhooto’ in their personified names but the
details of activities aren’t mentioned. A list of ten opposing vices ‘Kĩũnũhu’ (destruction) is also put down. The ultimate
goal of the vices is Kũũnũha (destruction).
CIRA
WA KĨHOTO
1.GWATA
NDAĨ
– riddle master
2.WANARUONA
- witness
3.MŨTEMA KŨŨMŨ - expositor
4.GACUCA
– dissector/analyzer
5.MWARIAMA
– truth teller
6.MŨRŨNGA -
proceduralist
7.MŨIGWITHANIA -
reconciler
8.KAGICA
- articulator
9.MWANĨKI - broadcaster
10.KĨHOTO - justice
CIRA
WA KĨŨNŨHU
1.KANUA
MWONJORE – mouth for hire
2.MŨTHIGANI - spy
3.MŨTHIORA – spin doctor
4.MŨINAMIA -
contradicter
5.MUNJUGA
– stirrer/provocateur
6.MWĨHIA - sinner
7.MŨRAGANI - murderer
8.
MŨTHOGA
- spoiler
9.
MŨCENENEKI
- gossiper
10.
MŨNŨHA – destroyer
References
TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya
Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya
Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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