To the west, Embu neighbours are the closely related Kikuyu in Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Kiambu, Muranga and Nyandarua counties.

They were to refer to this location as the place of the Lord, the owner of the snow ("Nyaga") or ("Njerũ" meaning white) – hence the name "Mwenenyaga" or "Mwenenjerũ".

The mythology claims that God (Ngai) created Mwenendega and gave him a beautiful wife at Gogo River Salt Lick, in Mukuuri, hence her name "Ciũrũnjĩ" or "Nthara".

Gogo River separates Mukuuri Location and Gitare localities at the edge of a ridge called Mûrurîrî.

Eminent historian Prof Mwaniki Kabeca (in his 2005 book Mbeere Historical Texts, page 105[3]) narrates that Mwenendega took his cattle to drink at the Gogo Salt Lick and found a girl who refused to talk to him at first.

For example, Senior Chief Muruatetu, probably one of the most famous of the Aembu people, not only had sixteen wives and many children, but he was also a respected administration officer for the colonial government and independent Kenya.

The Embu were fierce warriors who, although rarely raiding other tribes, always stood firm in defense of their territory and people.

Embu region has for long been known as having very conducive altitude and climate that produce highly superior human body system.

However, the country's athletic team has immensely utilized the altitude and climate advantage of Embu through doing practices especially at Kigari teachers college and its environs, area that is at the slope of Mt.

The main education institutions were started or sponsored by the Catholic, Anglican, Salvation Army, and Methodist churches.

The main food crops grown are maize, beans, yams, cassava, millet, sorghum, bananas and arrowroot, among others.

This, alongside the domestic livestock of cows, goats, sheep and chicken, keeps the people well fed throughout the year.

The most widespread cash crops to date are coffee, tea, muguka(khat) and macadamia nuts.

Legend has it that one man Munyao did scale the mountain to the peak and hoisted the national flag during the independence day on 12 December 1963.

[citation needed] Other attractions in the region are the huge Karue hill towering high along the Embu-Meru highway.

A minority of the Embu practice Islam notably through Arab, Indian, Persian missionaries since trade with the rest of East Africa.

Typical Embu cuisine includes Nyeni (traditional vegetables), Mukimo (mashed banana with traditional vegetables or potatoes), Githere or Muthere (unfettered corn seeds cooked with beans or peas and traditional vegetables), Nyama cia gwakia (roasted meat), Ucuru or Ukie (fermented porridge made from flour of corn, millet or sorghum), Irio (mashed dry beans, corn and potatoes), Mutura (sausage made using goat intestines, meat and blood), yams, cassava and sweet potatoes.