The First and only Kikuyu Female Chief during the colonial period in Kenya
Today, I bring you a legend, from between the rivers of central Kenya, the infamous Wangũ wa Makeri (1850s-1930s).
In the small village of Gitie in Waithaga lived a woman called Wangũ. Wangũ grew up helping her parents in the farm and it was here that she met the rich and calm Makeri wa Mbogo, who asked her to marry him; Wangũ accepted. Now, during this period, the society wasn’t complicated: the roles of women and men were crystal to everyone.
In the flow of their marriage, a man named Karũri wa Gakũre, who was the paramount chief in what’s now Mũrang’a, established camp nearby. During his visits, he set his eyes on a woman, yes, on Wangũ. But Wangũ was married, right? Well, that wasn’t an issue for her or Karuri who was known to have about 60 wives (later renounced them and retained one when he became Christian). It’s not clear why the society made an exception for her because this could have easily resulted in her death. It’s told that Wangũ used to take him and the British administrators in the camp; meat, milk and sour milk. When Karũri was asked who the woman belonged to, Karũri confidently said, “she’s mine.” Understandably, Makeri wasn’t too pleased. To appease him, Karuri offered a him a chief position which he refused. I personally think it was for his pride’s sake but no matter, Wangu was disgusted by his lack of ambition.
If you were in Makeri’s shoes, would you have accepted chieftainship?
Karũri in turn offered her the crown and she accepted. This was unacceptable; no woman had become chieftain-chieftess up to that point and what’s worse, the hut tax was at implementation stage. To date, as then, she is infamous for collaborating with the colonialists; she helped collect this tax and was really enthusiastic about it. Evaders were placed in cells while some were beaten and arrested. Legend has it that she used to beat them herself. People also say that she used to have men kneel so she can sit on their backs, sing her praises and even carry her. This has been refuted by some who live in the area and have heard the stories passed to them from eye witnesses so we can’t take it as fact. They say her guards (men) used to do the beating and the ‘dirty work.’
It was all good for her until one day, there was a dance called ‘Kibata’. Culturally, this dance was performed by men only, while naked. I have no idea why this was a good idea to them or to Wangũ, who from excitement upon seeing Karũri there, as it’s said, decided to join in. While she danced, her covering fell off her waist leaving her naked and ashamed. Was it sabotage? Perhaps the men planned it; to adjust the dagger on her waist so that it cut the ropes or for someone to cut it while she danced. For whatever reason, it fell and that marked her uncrowning. Men demanded for her resignation which later happened.
As I looked into this story, there’s one part I couldn’t substantiate. Where did the narrative that during her reign, men plotted to impregnate all women including her, as a way to overthrow her come from? I’m throwing this out as myth unless someone informs me differently.
This legend has made me understand where the stereotype about Kikuyu women being ‘untamed’ or ‘sitting on men’ originated. Also, that alcoholism among men has been a problem in the community specifically, for ages because, it’s the one between two things (tax evasion was the other) that made Wangũ wa Makeri beat men, if she truly did. What do you make of this?
However you choose to look at this legend; as an inspiration to break norms and cultural barriers or a caution against the same, is up to you.
At a time when the unnecessary battle between the ‘genders’ is still hot, we may learn something here, or maybe not, and you could tuck it in your- the more you know🤔 belt.
Thank you for reading🤗