Today is Mashujaa Day in Kenya. It marks Operation Jock Scott, when British police arrested activists they saw as leaders of Mau Mau.
The writer Gakaara wa Wanjau was arrested that day & detained for 8 years. Here's a page from the diary he kept while in detention. 1/
The writer Gakaara wa Wanjau was arrested that day & detained for 8 years. Here's a page from the diary he kept while in detention. 1/
2/
More than 150,000 people were held in Mau Mau detention camps during the 1950s.
Gakaara was held in several camps: Takwa on the coast, Athi River near Nairobi, then Hola. His wife, Shifra, was held in Kamiti.
Here's the published version of the diary.
More than 150,000 people were held in Mau Mau detention camps during the 1950s.
Gakaara was held in several camps: Takwa on the coast, Athi River near Nairobi, then Hola. His wife, Shifra, was held in Kamiti.
Here's the published version of the diary.
3/
In detention he lost much of his land to relatives; he worried about his family; he suffered mental & physical abuse from warders.
Nonetheless he was extremely creative. While in detention Gakaara composed several works, inc. Mihiriga ya Agikuyu, a study of Gikuyu clans.
In detention he lost much of his land to relatives; he worried about his family; he suffered mental & physical abuse from warders.
Nonetheless he was extremely creative. While in detention Gakaara composed several works, inc. Mihiriga ya Agikuyu, a study of Gikuyu clans.
4/
He also operated a detention camp schoolhouse, composed a series of plays, and edited the Athi River detention camp newsletter Atîrîrî.
Here's the play 'Reke Acirithi ni Mehia Make', 'Let his Wickedness Judge Him' (1956).
He also operated a detention camp schoolhouse, composed a series of plays, and edited the Athi River detention camp newsletter Atîrîrî.
Here's the play 'Reke Acirithi ni Mehia Make', 'Let his Wickedness Judge Him' (1956).
5/
After his release from camp Gakaara would found a publishing house--Gakaara Press, based in Karatina--and become one of the leading spokesmen for Mau Mau veterans.
Here's the first page of his Agikuyu, Mau Mau na Wiyathi.
After his release from camp Gakaara would found a publishing house--Gakaara Press, based in Karatina--and become one of the leading spokesmen for Mau Mau veterans.
Here's the first page of his Agikuyu, Mau Mau na Wiyathi.
6/
Mashujaa Day was Kenyatta's attempt to monopolize the memory of Mau Mau. Here's a clip from 20 Oct. 1968.
It may be true that 'KANU Yajenga Nchi', as Mboya & others sing here.
But the real heroes of the 1950s were men & women like Gakaara Wanjau and Shifra Wairire.
Mashujaa Day was Kenyatta's attempt to monopolize the memory of Mau Mau. Here's a clip from 20 Oct. 1968.
It may be true that 'KANU Yajenga Nchi', as Mboya & others sing here.
But the real heroes of the 1950s were men & women like Gakaara Wanjau and Shifra Wairire.
7/
I've written about Gakaara's life and legacy in this essay, published in I. Hofmeyr and A. Burton (eds.), Ten Books that Shaped the British Empire.
…ekrpetersondotcom.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/peters…
I've written about Gakaara's life and legacy in this essay, published in I. Hofmeyr and A. Burton (eds.), Ten Books that Shaped the British Empire.
…ekrpetersondotcom.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/peters…
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