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The Gusii of Kenya by John S. Akama
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Oral Poetry in Africa :The Abagusii of Kenya
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The Untold Story:Gusii Survival Techniques and Resistance to the Establishment of British Colonial Rule
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The Untold Story, Gusii Survival Techniques and Resistance to the Establishment of British Colonial
Rule. There is little written about the resistance to the establishment of the British colonial rule in Gusii.
The scant knowledge available on this historical phenomenon in Kenya is inaccurate and intentionally
distorted in favour of the colonial master. The truth, contrary to the incorrect histories presented by the
British, is that the Kings African Rival soldiers suffered humiliating defeat in their initial encounter with
Gusii warriors. It was a landmark historical event. Otenyo Nyamaterere is incorrectly portrayed as a
frustrated and deranged lone-ranger who was high on narcotics when he attacked with a spear and
injured the first District Commissioner of Kisii, Geoffrey Northcote. In a fierce rebuttal to this falsehood
existing in colonial narratives, this book attempts to correct this erroneousness portrayal of a lead
warrior who valiantly came out in defense of community and its lands.
And there is context to this resistance. Over many years, the Gusii had honed their fighting skills and
survival strategies from the many years of struggle against the hostile and warlike neighbours – the
Maasai, the Kipsigis and the Luo. These skills and strategies that came in handy when later the Gusii
faced a more formidable external aggressor – the Kings African Rival soldiers. The Gusii warriors fought
with valour, demonstrating great fighting skills in their encounter with these forces of conquest even as
the latter were better armed. Inevitably the warriors lost, defeated due to the British superior
weaponry. The Gusii weapons and hand to hand combat fighting could not match the British gun power.
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The Vanishing Indigenous Heritage of the Abagusii of Western Kenya
Abagusii are a Bantu-speaking group found in South Western Kenya, also called the Gusii region. Like other indigenous communities in the world, the people of Gusii have a rich heritage that captures their history and culture. The community’s heritage is at the core of their identity. For instance, Abagusii were deeply spiritual, be it in the administration of justice, an individual’s conduct or relationships with others in the society.
As the community settled down, some places became more important to them. Some of these sites assumed spiritual significance. Others became historical with inscriptions that predate the arrival of the group on present-day Gusii. Places such as Ngoro ya Mwaga, at the base of the Manga Ridge, were important to the spiritual lives of Abagusii. It was sacred, and clear rules governed the manner of conduct while visiting the location. Other locations like the caves in Sameta have rock-inscribed writings that have stood the test of time. They predate the group’s arrival in that land. Some developments saw the transformation of people’s lives, such as the building of the first watermills, which substantially eased the tedious work of preparing cooking flour.
This book points to the potential these places hold for present-day Gusii, Kenya and the world. As the authors write, ‘It is also important to note that other than satisfying the social-religious needs of the local community, if well managed and presented, these sites can become a source of cultural heritage tourism.’ Not only would this promote the heritage of the people of Gusii but also become a source of revenue for the two counties of Kisii and Nyamira.
Further, the work underlines the importance of preserving the sites, and the heritage they represent, for future generations and the world at large. Unfortunately, as the land sizes decline in Gusii, there is encroachment and (in many cases) destruction of what was once sacred. When such destruction takes place, it goes with the historical and cultural representation it holds.
KRAFT
Through a meeting with Wendy, they form a bond and together, they embark on life's journey. Life turns wonderful, until disasters knock at the door, one after the other…
Meanwhile, detective Tom Mbuke is running out of time to solve a series of bizarre happenings that befall the Teluves. He blames himself for a prank that caused so much pain as a 10-year-old and vowed to leave no stone unturned to find out what really happened. But nothing could prepare him to handle the truth that emerges.
Kraft is a story about deceit, love, sex, power, betrayal, crime, money and anything in between, set in colonial Kenya and spanning two generations to present day Kenya and around several continents…
Crucible for Silver and Furnace for Gold
Giorgio thought that a sojourn to Kenya's coast was the perfect way to kick back and relax, luxuriate in the sun, scuba-dive, take big-game fishing trips or a dhow cruise, but it turns out to be a break filled with mixed fortunes. On the other hand, Lavina's sabbatical for soul-searching in Malindi turns out to be a Herculean task of grappling with a moral dilemma of epic proportions. When their paths cross and their lives become intertwined, their emotionally charged struggle to connect with each other is challenging and turbulent.
This story deals with various socioeconomic issues ranging from the institution of marriage and multi-racial relationships, to amazing Kenyan art & culture, to historical land injustices brought about by the pre-nineteenth century, 99 year old colonial crown land leases, absentee landlords, and the long overdue land reform agenda on land tenures, the cause of many a conflict in the country.
The first scene opens on the Kenyan coast with captivating miles of pristine sandy white beaches, lapped by clear turquoise waters, providing the backdrop for your typical tropical beach holiday, but gets marred with a near-tragedy.
Here is a compelling and descriptive narrative that will pull at your heartstrings, but one that offers a message of hope to a moral dilemma that has bedeviled the world.
Here is what others say about this work:
From an an author clearly proud of her heritage and the beauty of her country comes a romantic tale set in Kenya. Featuring a jaw-achingly handsome Italian man and a beautiful, talented, but troubled local girl, the romance unfolds in a light teasing manner until the twist in the tale turns out to be a moral dilemma that would test the strength of any relationship. - Muthoni Garland - Kenyan writer nominated and short-listed for Caine Prize 2006, winner of Absinthe Literary Review 2003, and Founder of Story Moja, a new publishing initiative in Kenya
Moraa Gitaa writes with a crisp, clean style that will engage the reader from the first paragraph forward. A ground-breaking novel from a modern 'This Generation' African woman. A fine example of expressive writing that women around the world will find both inspiring and insightful. You'll turn page after page. - Rod Amis, Publisher & Editor G21 The World's Magazine
In delicious detail and with revolutionary zeal, Moraa tells a story of fierce passion, challenging tradition and breaking taboo. She weaves a surprising symphony. Fabulous! - John Mwazemba, Publishing Manager, Macmillan (Kenya) Publishers
Vigorous, with a surprise at every turn. This one will capture you alive! - Bruce L. Cook, Author-me.com
Moraa’s keen hand represents her generation’s challenges, hopes and dreams. She presents the reader with an intriguing, lyrical tale where lies a complex and breathtaking story of modern Kenya as shaped by politics, global interconnectedness, and the stirrings of hearts motivated by private sorrows, personal commitments, and high ideals. - Dr. Wambui Githiora-Updike, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Author of Wanjira.
A remarkable tale of love that keeps you turning the pages deep into the night. As you close the last page, you are, without choice, left with the burning question: How do I live my life? - Onduko bw'Atebe, Kenyan Author, his debut novel The Verdict of Death won first prize in the inaugural Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize (Kenya) 2006
Mines and Mind Fields: The Spoken Word
"These poems especially speak to a number of related realities in Kenya and other countries in the African continent; they speak about a people with ingenuity and yet forced to make tough choices because of hard economic and political conditions; they speak of an evolving culture, shaped by everyday realities of life and the ingenuities of survival. The mixture of languages and slang also give the poems an interesting immediacy and life."
- Mwenda Ntarangwi, Sociology Professor
"She is one of the most respected female poets in Nairobi today". The Sunday Nation writer Joseph Ngunjiri says of Njeri, "Njeri Wangari has a powerful voice, and she knows how to put it to good use. Whenever she takes to the podium to recite a poem, she has her enthusiastic audience applauding all the way. "
-Sunday Nation 8 February 2009. - Kenya's Leading newspaper.
"The poems bring a lot into perspective; and give me a thing or two to think about. ... Very nice ..."
- - Cee- A Kenyan Blogger
"I have had a hearty laugh reading Maisha Ya Hawker, got the tears to prove it :-) You just topped Women Behaving Badry and I love it! Your expression is amazing Njeri. I can't wait to see you perform this one."
- Ndanu - Performance Poet
"I must admit these are lovely poems. I have been following your blog for a while and it is very inspiring and informing. I am a poet and run the blog Two Hours Before. Your blog actually inspired me to do it also and I must tell you that your work is excellent. I will keep tuned and hopefully will get an opportunity to meet you and may be attend your performances."
- Simon Mwangi Muthiora - Blogger and Poet
Orchids in Taiwan
I was deeply moved by Okemwa’s deep affection for Taiwan, and constantly amazed by his paradoxical expression techniques utilized in his poems to guide readers into the trap designed by his measure of insinuations. This ironic statement manner strengthens the positive and affirmative attitude, and produces unexpected and surprising effects.
- Prof. Lee Kuei-shien, Taiwanese Poet, Translator & Vice President of Movimiento Poetas del Mundo.
我被歐肯姆瓦對台灣的深情感動不已，對他詩中運用的逆說表達技巧，以旁敲側擊的手段，引導讀者墜入他設計的圈套中，更是不斷驚嘆，這種以反諷的陳述方式，加強正面肯定的態度，產生令人意料不到的驚奇效果。
— 李魁賢教授，台灣詩人、翻譯家、世界詩人運動組織副會長
Christopher Okemwa's Orchids in Taiwan is a surprising poetry book about life and love, painting Taiwan like you would paint an African woman.
-Prof. Marta Eloy Cichocka, Polish poet and photographer, Iberian Studies scholar and a Francophile literary investigator and translator.
克利斯多福．歐肯姆瓦的《台灣蘭花》是寫生活和愛，令人驚嘆的詩集，描繪台灣就像你在描繪非洲女人一樣。
— Marta Eloy Cichocka 教授，波蘭詩人、攝影師、伊比利亞研究學者、親法文學研究者和翻譯家。
Colour of the Skunk
The late Wilson Lwandhle Magadhla served in the South African Police Force at the peak of the struggle against the apartheid regime. Even as he remained true to his profession of policing, his heart remained with the freedom fighters; he yearned for a country underlined by equality before the law. Merit, he felt, should be the basis of judging persons rather than the colour of their skin.
Drawing suspicion from both sides of the struggle, the good soldier soldiered on, balancing between loyalty to his people and the profession of keeping law and order.
So what were the conditions like in policing during the years of apartheid? What was life like for a black police officer serving under the authority of one of the most repressive and detested regimes in the world? How did black policemen balance between the need for liberation from the oppressive order of apartheid and their duty to do law enforcement?
Following the fall of the apartheid regime, the author went on to serve in Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that was chaired by the Reverend Desmond Tutu. Magadhla was the head of the Special Investigative Section of the commission.
Published posthumously, The Colour of the Skunk is a book for historical records, providing an insider’s account of working in government founded racial discrimination
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