Revisiting roots of Agikuyu: Why the community reveres the Mugumo tree

Usually, a fallen mugumo cannot be used for firewood and is just left to decompose, very elderly women are the only ones exempted from this. Those that disregard this evoke misfortunes such as fertility issues, miscarriages, blindness among others.

Another belief is that if one went around the tree seven times they would change their gender. However, no individual has been reported to acquire the gender transformation.

No one is even allowed to use its leaves as handkerchiefs.

Earlier this month, a mysterious fire burnt down a mugumo tree in Githunguri, Kiambu County without burning anything else adjacent to the tree. Elders believed it was burnt by honey harvesters.