Previously, I wrote about American author’s Elmer Davies’ observations of the Agîkûyû when he visited East Africa in the period leading to 1904. These he noted in the book Western Field, a magazine that featured stories about the hunting exploits of various American hunters...
...both at home and overseas.
Elmer gives us a glimpse of how the Kamba were martially organized during raids by other communities, notably the Maasai.
Elmer gives us a glimpse of how the Kamba were martially organized during raids by other communities, notably the Maasai.
He took note of the fact that whilst the Kamba were hardy and courageous, the fact that each village had its own leader worked against them.
So when a raid took place against them, it took a while before they could get together. But if the raids....
So when a raid took place against them, it took a while before they could get together. But if the raids....
....persisted, the author observed, the Kamba elected a chief to have temporary joint command.
One area in which the Kamba however were exemplary was in their use of scouts. They had lookouts or spies located along the border of their territories, and who kept their people...
One area in which the Kamba however were exemplary was in their use of scouts. They had lookouts or spies located along the border of their territories, and who kept their people...
...informed about the movement of any wandering band of Maasai morans.
But in spite of these precautions, the Maasai would still succeed in herding off their neighbours’ cattle. As soon as it was learned that a raid was afoot, individual villages drove off their cattle...
But in spite of these precautions, the Maasai would still succeed in herding off their neighbours’ cattle. As soon as it was learned that a raid was afoot, individual villages drove off their cattle...
...to a safe place. But then morans would cut them out and isolate some herds before the Kamba could marshal enough warriors to counter the raiding party.
“One might deduce from this that the Wakamba warriors are poor warriors, but that is not so, for although they are not much on defense, they are even worse on a raid than the Maasai. In a contemplated attack, they usually display good judgement and considerable cunning, which...
... more than counterbalances their lack of training. Many times have they destroyed entire villages of the enemy....”, the author noted.
The author confirms that Kamba men “filed their teeth to a fine point, which spoils the looks of their mouths...
The author confirms that Kamba men “filed their teeth to a fine point, which spoils the looks of their mouths...
...they consider this a badge denoting their tribe and don't hesitate to keep their mouth open so that it can be always seen...” (pic here for illustration only).
I threaded sometime back about how the Kamba using their poisoned arrows were formidable against the Maasai.
This was according to John Henry Patterson, the engineer who took out the man eaters of Tsavo. In case you missed this thread, read it on
This was according to John Henry Patterson, the engineer who took out the man eaters of Tsavo. In case you missed this thread, read it on
