Wameru

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The Wameru, also known as the Meru, are a Bantu ethnic group living on the slopes of Mount Meru in Tanzania’s Arusha Region and in Meru County, Kenya. They number about 200,000 people. They speak Kimeru, the Meru language, and most are Christians (including Lutherans). They are related to nearby groups such as the Shambaa and Chagga.

The Meru arrived at Mount Meru about 800 years ago, coming from Mount Kenya. They absorbed the Koningo hunter‑gatherers who lived there and formed the Meru community. They are known for livestock keeping. The regions’ names Arumeru (district) and Arusha Region, as well as Meru County in Kenya, honor the Meru people.