In the vast and inhospitable landscapes of East Africa during World War I, the railway emerged as a vital lifeline for the British colonial project—a technological marvel connecting the port of Mombasa to the interior. Yet for the German commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and his motley force of askari and European soldiers, that very railway … Read more
Hizi chuom za history ya Kenya, there are many dark chapters, but few are as grotesquely revealing as the events of March 3, 1959, at Hola Camp. Officially, it was described as an incident where eleven Mau Mau detainees met their untimely deaths due to “pulmonary edema caused by shock and hemorrhage.” Unofficially, it was … Read more
In 1948, Dr. James Kirkman, a university archaeologist, embarked on a journey to uncover the secrets of Gede, an ancient Swahili city buried in the dense coastal bush and sand of Kenya. This city, likely inhabited from the late 13th century and abandoned for around 300 years, was a once-thriving Islamic metropolis. Spanning 45 acres, … 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
When it comes to history, the concept of authority holds immense importance. Authority, in this context, refers to the weight and reliability of the information presented. As we strive to understand the past, the credibility of the source plays a vital role in separating fact from fiction, particularly in cases where modern tools of historical … Read more
Long before the British set foot in Maasailand, when the Maasai warriors still roamed free across the vast plains of East Africa, a revered elder stood before his people and spoke of a troubling vision. “A flock of white birds will come,” he warned, “and they will bring with them devastation. The cattle will die, … Read more
Traditionally, initiation within Kipsikis culture was not solely a male domain. Female torusiek underwent their distinct rites, which, although different in practice from those of their male counterparts, were essential in ushering them into womanhood. Rooted deeply in tribal beliefs, these ceremonies were imbued with layers of symbolic meaning reflecting views on gender, responsibility, and … Read more
Someone once paused and questioned their reality: Am I real? Do the things I see truly exist? Is this all a dream—or perhaps a simulation? Such questions often mark the beginning of an inquiry into the self, a journey to explore identity and existence. See the Story of this 16th Century local man ? At … Read more
Labor scarcity has been a recurring theme in Kenya’s history, influencing societal structures, agricultural practices, and colonial policies. From pre-colonial systems of land use to the exploitative labor practices of the colonial era, labor scarcity profoundly shaped the lives of ordinary Kenyans. This article explores how labor shortages were addressed through innovative systems and how … Read more