aspect of upcoming Mau Mau activities. But the model structure as it stands was
designed to show that these subsequent oaths were just as complicated and
meaningful as the first Mau Mau oath.
The Oath Date
The Mau Mau oath was also unique based on the time∕date of the oath.
This object is represented by the entity oathing time stamp (object 2.0) to
represent the actual date and time of the oathing activity. The date as a separate
category provides visibility to specific events that may have impacted the oathing
activities and needs. The distinction shows that for every oath, there was a
specific time in which the oathing occurred.20 Although out of scope for this
particular study, a more rigorous analysis of chronological oathing activities
based on date could provide an interesting oathing historical narrative in order to
trace how oathing accommodated the needs of the Mau Mau movement.
The peak of the Mau Mau movement was between 1948 and 1954. The
oath changed during the time period of Mau Mau in response to the needs and
conditions of the war. For example, during the later years of the movement there
were more secondary oathings, based on the needs of the movement, and the
oathing practices grew more intense compared to the previous years.21
20 Note the specific time was sometimes difficult to pinpoint in the field interviews.
21 Kershaw, Маи Май From Below, 318.
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