Short, wooden knobbed club.
Community Commentary by Juma Ondeng' within research project: 'Rethinking Relationships and Building Trust around African Collections' 2021 Made by the elderly for the use by the young boys before the circumcision ceremony. It was made from a local tree called Mucee. On the morning of the ceremony, boys were lined up next to a huge (Mugumo) fig tree and each was given his own Ndothi to throw over the Mugumo tree. Those boys whose clubs went over the tree were considered ready for circumcision. Given the sacredness of circumcision as an important rite of passage that marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, this object is considered sacred by the Kikuyu community. In a previous engagement with the community elders, they expressed interest in having it kept in Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine which is considered the ancestral home of the community. That way, it will regain its significance in the society and help in cultural revival of some of the traditions associated with circumcision ceremonies and rituals.
