Nature of the Resistance. 

The Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya (1952-1960) was characterized by a complex and multifaceted form of resistance that combined guerrilla warfare, rural insurgency, and symbolic acts of defiance against British colonial rule. The nature of their resistance was rooted in the socio-economic grievances of the Kikuyu people and other allied groups, and it drew on both traditional practices and modern nationalist sentiments. Here’s an overview of the key aspects of the Mau Mau resistance:

1. Guerrilla Warfare and Armed Struggle:

• Forest Fighters:

  • The core of the Mau Mau resistance was organized as a guerrilla movement, with fighters, often referred to as "Mau Mau," retreating to the forests of central Kenya, particularly the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya. From these bases, they launched hit-and-run attacks on colonial installations, European settlers, loyalist Africans (those who were seen as collaborating with the British), and other targets associated with colonial rule.

  • The Mau Mau fighters used small arms, homemade weapons, and crude explosives. Their knowledge of the local terrain gave them a significant advantage, allowing them to conduct ambushes, sabotage, and raids, then disappear into the dense forests.

• Rural Insurgency:

  • The Mau Mau movement was deeply rooted in rural areas, where the grievances against land dispossession and colonial exploitation were most acute. The movement relied heavily on the support of the rural Kikuyu population, who provided food, shelter, and intelligence to the fighters.

  • The Mau Mau also sought to disrupt the colonial economy by attacking agricultural operations, destroying crops, and killing livestock, thereby undermining the economic base of the European settlers and the colonial state.

2. Oaths and Rituals:

• Oathing Ceremonies:

  • A significant feature of the Mau Mau resistance was the use of oaths, which were administered to initiate new members into the movement. These oaths were deeply symbolic and served to bind individuals to the cause of the rebellion. The oaths invoked traditional Kikuyu religious beliefs and practices, creating a powerful sense of unity and commitment among the fighters and their supporters.

  • The British authorities viewed the oathing ceremonies as a form of psychological control and propaganda, and they were deeply concerned about the role these rituals played in galvanizing resistance.

• Spiritual and Cultural Resistance:

  • The Mau Mau drew on traditional Kikuyu spirituality and cultural symbols to legitimize their struggle. This spiritual aspect of the resistance helped to mobilize widespread support and fostered a collective identity among the fighters and their communities.

  • The movement was often seen as a continuation of earlier struggles against colonial encroachment, framing the rebellion as part of a long-standing fight to protect land, culture, and autonomy from foreign domination.

3. Political and Social Resistance:

• Underground Networks:

  • In addition to armed struggle, the Mau Mau developed extensive underground networks in urban and rural areas. These networks were involved in organizing strikes, boycotts, and other forms of civil disobedience, as well as providing logistical support to the fighters in the forests.

  • The movement also sought to challenge colonial authority by creating parallel structures of governance in some areas, where they exerted control over local populations, sometimes through coercion and violence.

• Role of Women:

  • Women played a crucial role in the Mau Mau resistance, both as fighters and as supporters. They were involved in smuggling weapons, gathering intelligence, and maintaining communication between different factions of the movement. Some women also took part in oathing ceremonies and, in some cases, participated directly in combat.

  • The participation of women in the resistance was significant because it challenged the traditional gender roles within Kikuyu society and demonstrated the broad-based nature of the anti-colonial struggle.

4. Symbolic Acts of Defiance:

• Cultural Reclamation:

  • The Mau Mau resistance was also symbolic, representing a rejection of colonial cultural impositions. The movement sought to reclaim African identity and heritage in the face of British attempts to impose Western values and norms. This was evident in the use of traditional rituals, language, and dress as symbols of defiance against colonial rule.

  • The rebellion also inspired broader nationalist sentiments across Kenya, contributing to the growth of a national consciousness that transcended ethnic boundaries and laid the groundwork for the eventual push for independence.

5. Repression and Counter-Resistance:

• Colonial Counter-Insurgency:

  • The British response to the Mau Mau was brutal and repressive. The colonial authorities launched a massive counter-insurgency campaign that included military operations, mass detentions, forced relocations, and the creation of "emergency villages" to isolate and control the Kikuyu population.

  • Despite the heavy repression, the Mau Mau fighters continued their resistance for several years, demonstrating a remarkable degree of resilience and determination.

• International Attention and Support:

  • The Mau Mau Rebellion also attracted international attention, with some groups and individuals outside Kenya expressing solidarity with the fighters and condemning British colonial practices. Although the rebellion was ultimately suppressed, it played a significant role in drawing global attention to the injustices of colonial rule and the legitimacy of African independence movement.

The nature of the Mau Mau resistance was complex and multifaceted, combining guerrilla warfare, cultural defiance, political organization, and social resistance. It was rooted in the deep-seated grievances of the Kikuyu people and other groups who had suffered under British colonial rule, particularly through land dispossession and economic exploitation. Although the rebellion was eventually crushed by the British, it had a lasting impact on Kenya's path to independence and remains a powerful symbol of resistance against colonial oppression.

Source: The Mau Mau Warrior Oath

I swear before God and before the people who are here that  I have today become a soldier of Gikuyu and Mumbi and I will from now onwards fight the real fight for the land and freedom of our country till we get it or till my last drop of blood. 

Today I have set my first step (stepping over a line of a goat’s small intestine) as a warrior and I will never retreat.  

And if I ever retreat  May this soil and all its products be a curse upon me!  

If ever I am called to accompany a raid or bring in the head of an enemy, I shall obey and never give lame excuses. … 

I will never spy or inform on my people, and if ever sent to spy on our enemies I will always report the truth. …  

I will never reveal a raid or crime committed to any person who has not taken the Ngero Oath (Oath of Violence or crime) and will steal firearms wherever possible. … 

I will never leave a member in difficulty without trying to help him. … 

I will obey the orders of my leaders at all times without any argument or complaint and will never fail to give them any money or goods taken in a raid and will never hide any pillages or take them for myself. … 

I will never sell land to any white man. And if I sell:  May this soil and all its products be a curse upon me! 

Source: Donald L. Barnett and Karari Njama, Mau Mau from Within (New York: Modern Reader, 1966), 131-2. 

1. How is the oath useful for identifying the key principles and motivations of the Mau Mau? 

2. What values do they swear to adhere to?  

1. Using Source A and B and your own knowledge, outline the changing methods used by the Mau Mau in their struggle for Independance 1952- 1963. 

2. Assess the value and limitations of  Source A and B for assessing the nature of the Mau Mau rebellion?