The name is absent

Chapter 8 Conclusion

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

Nelson Mandela

Introduction

Similarto the many hills noted by Nelson Mandela, this study has revealed
the need for more scholarly work to unfold the complexity of Mau Mau. The
movement was by far much more involved, integrated, and meaningful than it
appeared on the surface. As a result, it requires an extensive, systematic, and
careful treatment of the various dimensions of Mau Mau and the complexity.
This type of study is challenging because of the availability of the sources,
unfortunately many Mau Mau participants are no longer available for their first
hand accounts and the subject is still a very sensitive and opinionated topic. This
dissertation is only the beginning of such a treatment. It is an contribution to the
Mau Mau historiography through centering the conversation on the Mau Mau
oath. This is the first study that has methodically investigated the true making of
Mau Mau as presented in the power of the oath.

Centering the oath as the object for historical analysis allows an
examination of how it has been used and reused throughout history to shape
issues. In pre-colonial Kenya, the oath was the decision maker in difficult judicial
matters. During Mau Mau the oath became the cornerstone activity of the
movements’ membership and allegiance, as well as the primary target of the
¹ Nelson Mandela Quote, “I’ll Call You-Nelson Mandela,” March 1, 2009.
http://www.southafrica.info/mandela/mandela-retirement.htm.

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