The name is absent

The Oath Location

Similarly, the Mau Mau oath was distinct based on the oathing location.
On the model, this is represented by the object, oathing location (entity 2.1) that
shows the physical place of the oathing ceremony. For example, oaths took
place in urban or rural settings and were conducted in very specific places. The
location is also aimed to capture the oathing locales linked to districts and sub-
locations. This is important because for a variety of reasons like secrecy the
different oaths did not necessarily occur in the same place. For example, one
interviewee, J.M Malei, born in the village of Nduu, the sub-location of Mutituni,
reported his Mau Mau activities required taking a total of three oaths between
1952 and 1954.²² He stated the first oath was taken at Kariobangi in Nairobi in a
house. The second oath occurred also in a house setting in the Eastleigh section
of Nairobi. The last oath was in Kinangop in a forest near the Sasumua Dam. On
average, most participants took only 1-2 Mau Mau oaths, and they varied in
location. One interview account reveals an important dynamic aspect of Mau
Mau oathing; he states, “It [the oath] could be given anywhere, anytime.”²³ This
information also helps to define the oath experience.

²² Interview, J.M. Malei, January 2009, Machakos, Kenya.

²³ Interview, P. Musuo, January 2009, Machakos District.

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