 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,000,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Tanzania (Arumeru District,Arusha Region),Kenya | |
| Languages | |
| Rwo | |
| Religion | |
| |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| People of theKamba people of Kenya,Oromo people of Ethiopia |
| Person | Mmeru |
|---|---|
| People | Wameru |
| Language | Kimeru |
TheMeru (Wameru inSwahili), also known as theVa-Rwa (Rwa being the root word), are aBantu ethnic group native to the slopes ofMount Meru inArusha Region and Meru County in Kenya. The Meru people share the same name and identity with theMeru people of Kenya.
TheMeru people are said to have arrived to the slopes of the great mountain around 800 years ago coming from the mount Kenya . According to the inhabitants, migration occurred back and forth throughout the region, and the Meru people should be viewed as a part of the bigger population inhabiting the entire Arumeru District. Upon arriving at the southeastern slopes of Mount Meru they were met by thehunter-gatherer group called theKoningo whom they absorbed into Meru society. The wa Meru are known for their intensive livestock keeper.[1]
Today many descendants of Meru people still live in their homeland andMount Meru andArumeru District are named in their honor. Upepo wa kisulisuli is named after UMALEE in meru language.
