Location
The Meru are a community living on the fertile agricultural north and eastern slope of Mount Kenya, in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. The name "Meru" refers to both the people and the location, as for many years there was only one geo-political district for the Meru people which originated from the colonial land unit. This changed in 1992, when the district was divided into three: Meru, Nyambene, and Tharaka-Nithi.More districts have been created since then as of May 2009 the Meru region consisted of twelve (12) districts. In all the Meru region consists of approximately 13000km² stretching from River Thuci in the South which is the traditional boundary between the Meru and Embu people to Isiolo district in the north. However the northern border is not as clearly defined as the southern border . The Kenyan Ameru are unrelated to the Meru people in north Tanzania, other than that they are both Bantu-speaking. The Meru are primarily agrarian, with some animals kept mainly in the northern part of the region. Their home life and culture is similar to other Highland Bantus. The Tharaka live in the dry desert area, a much harsher life than most Meru. they also live in other parts of Kenya.
Meru people are divided into seven sections; namely, the Igoji, Imenti, Tigania, Miutuni, Igembe, Mwimbi and Muthambi, Chuka and Tharaka
The Meru were traditionally governed by elected and hierarchical councils of elders from the clan level right up to the supreme Njuri Ncheke council that governed all the seven sections. The council is the only traditional judicial system recognized by the Kenyan state and is still powerful when it comes to political decision making amongst the Meru.
The Tanzanian Wameru settled in the forest on the south eastern slopes of Mount Meru.
Read more about this topic: Meru People