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ABSTRACT

The Making of Mau Mau: The Powerofthe Oath
By
Mickie Hudson-Koster

From the unique perspective of the oath, this study investigates the
entanglements of change in Kenya during the Mau Mau period, 1952-1960.
Specifically, it challenges the prevailing Mau Mau narrative, revealing the oath as
a complex, adaptive, and rational process ordered around symbols, gestures,
and statements with long standing meaning and power. All Mau Mau initiates
were required to take a secret oath of unity in order to join the struggle. Breaking
the oath invoked an unstoppable curse on oathers and their families. As a result,
the oath became a powerful mechanism in the formation of Mau Mau and served
as a precursor to Kenyan Independence in 1963.

Contrary to the long standing discourse of savagery, the Mau Mau oath
was actually an elaborate, dynamic, and sophisticated ceremony based on
ancient oathing traditions, symbolism, and beliefs. It was reconstituted from its
former state to one that was much more offensive, secretive, dangerous, and
inclusive of other groups such as women who were previously excluded. The
oath was a product of the economic, political, cultural, and social unrest of the
time. In addition to tracing historical developments and modeling the oath
experience, this study explores the radicalization of the oath during the Mau Mau

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