The name is absent

terms. This analysis of the historiography is important because it shows the
challenges of making history.

The chapter captures the oath definitions, debates, and issues of writers
over time. It provides the foundation of the argument and framework for this
dissertation. The writings show the shortcomings of understanding, interpreting,
and communicating the complexity of the Mau Mau oath. The evidence used to
support this chapter comes from records written during the Mau Mau period and
secondary material. In terms of contributions to the historiography, this chapter
shows the value of looking at translators and interpreters of the Mau Mau oath. I
argue that there was no single Mau Mau oath but instead varied interpretations,
varied descriptions, and varied meanings.

Chapter three first elucidates the broad application of oathing by first
outlining contours of the practice across time and geographical boundaries to
show the challenges confronted by scholars in their attempts to understand and
define oathing. The second half of the discussion traces oathing in Kenya from
the pre-colonial period to the independence period showing how oathing was
used traditionally to support judicial order and how it evolved during the Mau Mau
period. I argue that although oathing is a practice that has existed throughout
time and space, scholars have still failed to truly understand the complexity of the
oath experience including its cultural, social, and historical implications. The
chapter is based on evidence from Kenyan field research; survey field data on
specific ritual use and application; the primary papers of Lindblom, Dundas, and
Hobley; files from the Kenyan National Archives; along with additional secondary

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