ILUVYA TREE SHRINE

A descendant of Masaku explains that Masaku first came in contact with the white man around the late 1890s when some missionaries visited the area. While residing atop Kiima Kimwe, Masaku made the groove with his gigantic fig trees into an Ithembo, (shrine) where religious ceremonies were performed. As Masaku’s fame grew, people would trek for days to his place, bringing goats, local brew, millet and all manner of produce, to entreat the Almighty Ngai to hear their prayers. When the rains failed, Masaku would make elaborate plans, ordering tobacco snuff for three days, cooking food and then wrap his skin hide across his shoulders and embark on his mysterious journeys.