One of the most beneficial aspects of the archived documents is the
detailed information provided. For example, in one courtroom drama, M. Ndibo
recorded his Mau Mau oathing process and statements about an oathing
ceremony on October 27, 1953:
“I took off my clothes. They then tied goats flesh and grass round my wrists I
was given a dish to hold. I was then told to go through a circular thing 7 times -
it was an arch with ends stuck into ground. I did so. Then I was told to stand in
front of [the] arch and the Accused gave me a piece of meat. I had to push it
over my left shoulder. As I was doing this Masika [the accused oath
administrator] told me - as I came across a Europeans property I should take it.
If I am called during the night by that group I should go out. That I should get
ammunition.72
In this same case another testifier, Nzango s/о Muinde also gave his oathing
statements as:
“If I am called out at night by the Mau Mau, even if it is to kill Europeans,
Government servant or Chiefs, I must go; if I do not go I must die. If I am
called out to do damage to the property of Europeans, Government Servants
of Chiefs I must do it or I must die. If I hear of any member of Mau Mau who
is in trouble with the Government I must help him or I will be killed. I must not
pay money when I go to Church as the money is not for God but for
Europeans. If I tell the secret of Mau Mau oath to anyone, I will be killed.”73
It is important to note that the statements were given on the same day by the
same oath administrator showing how the statements can vary for each
individual oather. What is interesting is that the individuals that came forth to
testify about the oath in some ways revealed that they did not fear the curse of
the oath for revealing its secrets. What is important is that for all statements
given, there was associated meaning.
72 Testimony of Masau Ndibo, KNA MLA 1/791 - CC 36/54 Rex vs. Masika S/О Nyanze p. 1.
73 Testimony OfWilliamNzango S/О Muinde, Third Class Magistrate Court at Machakos, case 60, 1953.
KNAMLA 1/791 p. 1.
103