Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s life work was fundamentally a struggle to diagnose—and ultimately to reverse—the distortions of African cultures and societies wrought by colonialism and its after-effects. Across his major works, he repeatedly identifies three core elements of “the problem”: 1. Cultural and Linguistic AlienationNgũgĩ shows how colonialism, far more than a simple political or economic … Read more
Wherever they went, in their voyages of land, sea, and mind, Europeans planted their own memories on whatever they contacted. In his book The Idea of Africa, V. Y. Mudimbe writes, “The geographic expansion of Europe and its civilization . . . submitted the world to its memory.” Mapping, which involves exploration and surveying, was … Read more
Dr. Florence Gladwell Ng’endo Mwangi was a trailblazer in Kenyan medicine and a pioneer for women’s education. She was born in Kinoo, Kiambu County, in December 1936, and attended Loreto High School Limuru as part of its pioneer class. In 1959, she was selected for the Kennedy Airlift program organized by Tom Mboya, which enabled … Read more
Along the northeastern shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya lives a diverse group of Bantu-speaking peoples collectively known as the Bantu of Kavirondo. This term, once used by colonial administrators and early anthropologists, refers to several distinct but culturally and linguistically related communities, including the Wanga, Marama, Logoli, Vugusu, and others. Today, most of … Read more
The Kipsigis are one of Kenya’s largest and most influential ethnic groups, known for their rich cultural heritage, distinct social structures, and deep-rooted traditions. As part of the larger Kalenjin community, they have a long history that traces back to the Upper Nile region before eventually settling in the highlands of western Kenya. Over the … Read more
Introduction The Meru people of Kenya, who currently inhabit the northeastern slopes of Mount Kenya, have a rich and complex history shaped by migration, oral traditions, and interactions with various groups over centuries. Their origins, debated among scholars, are often traced to multiple ancestral roots, including coastal settlements, Cushitic influences, and connections to ancient African … Read more
The Maasai are one of East Africa’s most well-known indigenous communities, primarily residing in Kenya and Tanzania. Historically, they have been celebrated for their warrior culture, pastoralist economy, and deep connection to cattle, which have long defined their way of life. However, over the past two centuries, the Maasai have experienced profound transformations due to … Read more
The Kamba—also known as the Akamba—are one of Kenya’s prominent Bantu peoples. With a history that stretches from ancient migrations out of the highlands near Mount Kilimanjaro to a dynamic present marked by entrepreneurship, political engagement, and vibrant cultural expression, the Kamba have long been recognized for their adaptability and resilience. This article provides a … Read more
The East African coast region, often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives, boasts a rich and complex past that dates back to at least 1000 B.C., if not earlier. The story of this region is one of empires rising and falling, of trade networks stretching across oceans, and of the mingling of African, Arab, Persian, and … Read more
This past weekend, I came across a fascinating book by Tiyambe Zeleza titled Akamba, and I couldn’t put it down. The way Zeleza unpacks the spiritual and cultural world of the Akamba people is nothing short of mesmerizing. As I flipped through the pages, it became clear that the Akamba didn’t see life as fragmented … Read more