Ethnic group in Kenya
The Mbeere or Ambeere people are a Bantu ethnic group inhabiting the former Mbeere District in the now-defunct Eastern Province of Kenya. According to the 2019 Kenya National census, there are 195,250[1] Mbeere who inhabit an area of 2,093 km². They speak Kīmbeere language, a dialect of Embu, which is very similar to the languages spoken by their neighbours, the Kamba, Embu and Kikuyu.[2]
History
The Mbeere are of Bantu origin.[3] Like the closely related Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kamba, they are concentrated in the vicinity of Mount Kenya. The exact place that the Mbeere's ancestors migrated from after the initial Bantu expansion from West Africa is uncertain. Some authorities suggest that they arrived in their present Mount Kenya homeland from earlier settlements to the north and east,[3] while others argue that the Mbeere – along with closely related Eastern Bantu peoples such as the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kamba – moved into Kenya from further south.[4]
Economy
Most Mbeere are farmers who grow a variety of crops including mangoes, melons, pawpaws, passion fruits, maize, beans, cowpeas, pigeon peas, black peas, millet, sorghum, etc.
The former Mbeere District is known for miraa, of which it was the second largest producer after Meru District. The miraa crop is commonly grown in the northern part of the district. Apart from the Miraa and other farming activities, Mbeere District was known as the source of the building materials such as rocks, ballast, and sand used all over Kenya. Charcoal was also widely produced in Mbeere District. Other economic activities such basket making, ropes, and rearing animals such as cows and goats were also prevalent in the district.
