The Mugumo tree has an obvious majesty, a presence that is impossible for the senses to miss, a dominance that dwarfs the viewer and effortlessly elicits awe.  Reaching an imposing 90 meters its physical reach is only outdone by its by spiritual and cultural significance to the Agikuyu community.!  For the Kikuyu the Mugumo tree and the ground beneath and around it is a site of reverence- the dwelling of Ngai the creator. It is a shrine, a sanctuary, a cultural center and a place of reflection supplication and rejuvenation. Children are warned from an early age to stay away from the site. Failure to heed this, the young ones were told could lead to a reversal of gender! The Kikuyu came to the Mugumo to give thanks in good times and plead for prosperity in lean times and when war broke out the community-built rafts and hid in the branches, avoiding death. During the colonial times, the community used the bark of the tree to send messages-the community’s version of a post office. This particular Mugumo tree faces Mt Kenya, the home of Ngai and elders of the community have to come this site to hold various rituals for generations, slaughtering goats and offering sacrifices to Ngai. Even to this day the elders still hold periodical cleansing prayers at the site. When a vine drops from the tree, the community believe that is a sign one of their elders will be ‘called’ to go to Ngai.  Despite converting to Christianity, the Mugumo tree is still held in special esteem by the Kikuyu community and is never cut down unless it is absolutely necessary.