Muthoni Kirima (1930-2023) was a top ranking female fighter in the Mau Mau rebellion against British colonialism in Kenya. She led groups in guerrilla warfare to reclaim land and independence and became the only woman to have attained the high rank of Field Marshal.
For Further Reading:
- Muthoni Kirima, Mau Mau fighter who was the last to lay down her arms following Kenyan independence – obituary
- Kenya: Legendary Mau Mau field marshal Muthoni wa Kirima is dead
- The symbol remains: The tonsuring of Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima
- Uncovering the brutal truth about the British empire
This Black History Month, we’re talking about Revolutionaries: Black women who led struggles for liberation from violent governments, colonial rulers, and enslavers. These women had the courage to imagine radically different worlds – and used their power to try and pull those worlds into view.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones and Abbey Delk. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
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Episode Transcript
Hey, y'all, I'm Aaron Haynes. I'm the editor at large
for The Nineteenth News, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender
politics and policy. We look at where our democracy remains unfinished,
where women, people of color, and queer people are still
not included. And later this month, I'll be your host
for a brand new podcast from the Nineteenth News and
Wonder Media Network called The Amendment. More on that soon,
(00:24):
but for now, I'm excited to be your guest host
for this month of Womanica, this Black History Month, we're
talking about revolutionaries, the black women who led struggles for
liberation from violent governments, colonial rulers, and enslavers. These women
had the courage to imagine radically different worlds and they
use their power to try and pull those worlds into view. Today,
(00:45):
we're talking about a Kenyan freedom fighter whose unparallel commitment
to independence from the British made her a national symbol
of resistance. Let's talk about Muthoni Karima. Musoni Karima was
born in nineteen thirty in central Kenya. Her father did
(01:06):
not allow her to attend school, so Musoni spent her
childhood working alongside her parents on a European settler's farm. There,
she witnessed racism, physical abuse, and sexual violence committed by
the white settlers. Around the age of eighteen, Musoni married
and was able to move away from the farm. A
(01:27):
few years later. In nineteen fifty two, she joined a
group of Kenyan freedom fighters formerly called the Kenyan Land
and Freedom Army, but more commonly known as the Mau Mau.
The Mau Mau were fighting for Kenyan independence from British
and European rule. Muthoni brought information and supplies to the
Mau Mau soldiers hiding in the nearby woods. A year later,
(01:50):
her husband also joined the Mau Mau and the couple
moved into the forest with the rest of the fighters.
The Mau Mau launched violent attacks against white settlers and
colonial lisas sympathizers. Their rebellion was met with brutal, outsized
force from the British soldiers. It is estimated that hundreds
of thousands of Kenyans were detained and over ten thousand
(02:11):
were killed. Musoni and her fellow freedom fighters were beaten, tortured,
and imprisoned during the decade long battle. Muthoni remained resolute
in her commitment to the cause, becoming a symbol of
resistance and an inspiration for others who sought liberation. She
was an expert strategist and was given the nickname weaver
Bird for her ability to outsmart the British troops. Muthoni
(02:35):
was the only Mamu woman to be promoted to the
high rank of Field Marshal. On December twelfth, nineteen sixty three,
Kenya gained independence from Britain. It wasn't until Muthoni saw
the raised flag of Kenya that she laid down her weapons.
She and her husband were the last to do so,
but Muthoni was not satisfied with how the new administration
(02:57):
treated the Mamo who had fought for liberation. Though the
uprising ended in the early nineteen sixties, Musoni kept her
wartime dreadlocks for many decades. Many now My fighters grew
their hair into locks as a sign of protest against
colonial rule. Muthoni stated she would not cut her dreadlocks
until the Kenya she fought for became a reality. On
(03:20):
April second, twenty twenty two, at ninety two years old,
Muthoni allowed the wife of Kenya's first president to shave
her six foot long dreads The decision to cut her
hair was met with controversy. Many thought Muthoni was coerced
into the decision, but Musoni denied these allegations. She said,
(03:41):
I needed to breathe new life. The dreadlocks reminded me
of the struggle, persecution and punishment meted on me and
my colleagues. A little over a year later, Musoni died.
She was honored by the Kenyan government for her dedication
to the freedom of the Kenyan people. Today, she remains
(04:02):
a symbol of Kenyan resistance and independence. All month, We're
talking about Revolutionaries. For more information, you can find us
on Facebook and Instagram at Wamanica Podcast. Special thanks to
co creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan for having me as
a guest host. Talk to you tomorrow.
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