The name is absent

above all other factors to fight for Kenyan freedom. The power of the Mau Mau
oath and the associated movement was a precursor to many international black
liberation movements that also struggled with the enemies of colonialism,
imperialism, racism, and injustice.

It is important to note that this treatment of the Mau Mau oath structure is
just a foundation for much more analysis on the topic. There is still much more to
understand and ask about this dark past. And unfortunately, the historiography
on the topic of Mau Mau is still suppressed and harbors ill feelings. The Mau Mau
oath and movement was viewed as dark, dangerous, obscure, violent, bloody,
and mysterious. Mohamed Mathu in Urban Guerilla resented the oath and
claimed that many “aspects of the oathing ceremonies were ugly.”⁷⁸ He and
others held that it was not necessarily a positive experience in itself for
participants, but instead a process that was necessary to overthrow British rule.
For this reason, the memory of Mau Mau based on interview accounts appear to
have suppressed some detailed accounts. It is very possible that over time, they
have forged their own account of what was truly important about the oathing
practices. As a result, these areas have been given much more attention than
the less desirable acts.⁷⁹

However, this silenced aspect and characteristic of Mau Mau oathing is
evidence that there is still much more to know and understand about it. It can
also suggest that there may still be deep feelings of resentment associated with
those that were forced to take the oath, and unresolved issues associated with

⁷⁸ Mathu, Urban Guerilla, 10.

⁷⁹ This is definitely a future field related question that deserves more attention.

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