article

The Mau Mau Rebellion, Kikuyu women, and social change

Canadian journal of African studies22 (3) • Published In 1988 • Pages: 502-527

By: Presley, Cora Ann.

Abstract
This article discusses women's contribution to the Mau Mau rebellion and to Kenyan nationalism in general. It argues that women's roles in the Mau Mau rebellion were not limited to smugling food and passing secrets to rebells as some writers claimed. Instead, the document shows, women played critical roles both as organzers of nationalist political rallies and as active agents in the armed insurgency. The author recounts these roles through interviews with several women who, like their male counterparts, were imprisoned and tortured by agents of the colonial governement.
Subjects
Political movements
Revolution
External relations
Aftermath of combat
Prisons and jails
Gender status
Wartime adjustments
Real property
Acquisition and relinquishment of property
Gender roles and issues
culture
Gikuyu
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Historian
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2008
Field Date
1978-1980
Coverage Date
1950-1980
Coverage Place
Kenya
Notes
Cora Ann Presley
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
79018614
LCSH
Kikuyu (African people)