Gikuyu/ Kikuyu Greetings

Standard Kikuyu has three main divisions. These are Gaki (Nyeri), Metumi (Muranga) and Kabete or Kiambu Kikuyu (Muriuki 1974). Gĩkũyũ was not only a language but also the name of a patriarch ancestor.
The following are some common Gikuyu greetings

• Wimwega
• Uhoro Waku
• Geithika
• Ni ndakugeithia

All these mean how are you but in different forms. Wimwega  sounds more formal and Uhoro waku can be used to inquire further how a person is doing.

In Nyeri (Nyiri) however greetings differ as shown below

•  Wakia awa: awa (father). This is used by ladies to men who are their father or in the family lineage should be considered as a father. The anwer to this is Wakia maitu. It's worth noting that a mother would also greet the son this way, 
•  Wakia maitu: this is for men/women to mothers in the real sense or to all the women who would qualify to be their mother. The answer to this would be, wakia awa (to a man) and wakia iiû (to a lady).
•  Wakia iiû: a mother greeting a daughter. the reply is wakia maitu, e.g, Wanjiku's Mother: wakia iiû? Wanjiku: wakia maitu.
•  Wakia cûcû: grand child to the grandmother. the reply is the same.
•  Wakia wakini: (not commonly used). This is between men of the same age-group (riika). The reply is the same.
• Wanyua (also not common): between a young and an old man. reply the same.