Bananas in Kikuyu Culture: Nutrition, Tradition, and Zero Waste
馃崒 Introduction Bananas occupy a central role in the daily life, agricultural practices, and cultural symbolism of the Kikuyu people—Kenya’s largest ethnic group. The Kikuyu are predominantly settled in the fertile highlands of Central Province. Among Kikuyu households, the presence of banana plants is more than a horticultural choice; it is a deeply rooted tradition and a practical necessity. These resilient plants thrive in the region’s climate, offering year-round nourishment and economic stability. For families with ample land, banana groves are cultivated extensively, serving as both a food for adults and the first solid food for babies as well as a reliable cash crop.Bananas are consumed in various forms—boiled, roasted, mashed or allowed to ripen and consumed as fruits —and its leaves are used in to lay down meat and durign ceremonies, packaging, or as livestock feed when coupled with the stems. In Kikuyu society, a home without bananas is consid...