#mekatilili wa menza

[kemetic-dreams]

Mnyazi wa Menza, also known as 'Mekatilili Wa Menza or Makatilili (1860s-1924) was a Kenyan independence activist who led the Giriama people against the colonial administration of Kenya between 1912 and 1915.

Mekatilili was born in the 1860s at Mutsara wa Tsatsu in Bamba, Kilifi county. She was an only daughter in a family of five children. One of her brothers, Mwarandu, was kidnapped by Arab slave traders and was never seen again. At some point in her life, Menza became married to Dyeka at Lango Baya.

Menza's motivation for resistance was led by economic and social-cultural concerns. Menza wanted to prevent any Giriama laborers from being employed by the colonial authorities, in order to ensure that they would remain in Giriama territory and only contribute to the well-being of Giriama people. She also was concerned about the increasing Western influence in Kenya, which she saw as eroding the Giriaman culture.

The colonial administrator for the region, Arthur Champion, held a public meeting on 13 August 1913, where he gave his demands to the community. Menza played a major role in the meeting as she expressed her opposition to Champion's demands, with Menza giving at the conclusion of the meeting a verbal oath that prevented her from working with or for the colonial administrators.

Mekatilili was agitated by what she saw as the erosion of traditional Giriama culture. The Giriama are a patrilineal community and women rarely hold leadership positions. However, Mekatilili was a widow. In Giriama society, women enjoy certain privileges, including that of speaking before the elders. She rounded up support for her cause against the colonial authorities due to the position she had attained as a strong believer of the traditional religion. In this, she was aided by the traditional medicineman Wanje wa Mwadori Kola. She gained a large audience through her performance of the kifudu dance. The dance was reserved for funeral ceremonies but Mekatilili performed it constantly from town to town, attracting a large following that followed her wherever she went

Mekatilili and Mwadori organized a large meeting at Kaya Fungo where they administered the mukushekushe oath among the women and Fisi among the men who vowed never to cooperate with the colonial authorities in any way or form. The colonial authorities responded by seizing large tracts of Giriama land, burning their homes and razing Kaya Fungo. This led to the unsuccessful Giriama Uprising, known locally as kondo ya chembe.

Mekatilili was arrested by the colonial authorities on 17 October 1913, and exiled to Kisii in Nyanza Province. According to colonial records, five years later, she returned to her native area where she continued to oppose the imposition of colonial policies and ordinances. Menza stated that Arthur Champion was solely responsible for forcing colonial policies on Giriama, which she claimed was eroding the traditional culture of Kenya. However, some narratives say that Mekatilili escaped from the prison in Kisii and walked over 1,000 kilometers back home to Giriama. She was later arrested and sent to a prison in Kismayu, Somalia where she also mysteriously escaped and returned to her home.

She died in 1924, and was buried in Bungale, in Magarini Constituency, Malindi District.

[socoffeewitch]

Simulizi ya Mekatilili wa Menza (Minyazi wa Menza) - Siku ya #Mashujaa

[tkriddick]

"Kenya 🇰🇪 1914 Mekatilili wa Menza was a prophetess and fearless warrior who led her people, the Giriama, to rebel against British imperialism. Born in the 1860s, she is remembered for slapping a British colonial administrator after disagreement over their imperialist policies and attempts to subdue them. Mekatilili wa Menza the Mother of resistance, a heroine from Kenya, who rebelled and fought the colonial invaders. She once said; "I am not afraid to speak the truth and fight for my people. My powers come from Kaya, rooted in the spirits of our ancestors" She was a distinguished, vocal and fearless leader and defended the rights of her people the Giriama by putting up a resistance from the white invaders of their land. She led the Giriama uprising against the British colonist. Who were stealing big fertile lands from the people, collecting taxes from the people and their banning of the local brew palm wine(mnazi). Mekatilili used kifudu dance which was performed during funeral ceremonies to mobilize the people to resist the colonial government or offer forced labor. An oath taking was administered to her followers to bind them to fight for their community and for their lands. The first time she was captured by the w.hite men and detained in kisii Kenya where she managed to find her way back home after five years and the struggle for freedom continued. The second time she was captured and detained in Kismayu in Somali but she still managed to find her way back home and the struggle for liberation continued. She died around 1925 and was buried at Bungale Ulaya Kwa Jele in Magarini constituency Malindi district. where a cultural festival was held in her honor." #showoffafrica ❤🖤💚🍫🍫🍫❤🖤💚 #blackgirlsrock #blackgurlmagic #MaybeItsMelanin #Superwoman #QueensGetTheMoney #Ebony #hairlove #blackexcellence #blackheritage ❤🖤💚🍫🍫🍫❤🖤💚 https://www.instagram.com/p/ChwdUODuHU6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[saucerkommand]

Stunning new images celebrate Kenyan female icon who stood up to colonialists

Two photographers, Rich Allela and Kureng Dapel, show us how in a series of images in a project titled "African Queens."They recreated the life of a female Kenyan icon Mnyazi wa Menza, who was popularly known among her people as Mekatilili wa Menza.

[mejcinta]

If we’re changing Kate’s surname to ‘Sharma’, then we could as well call Lady Danbury *Lady Mekatilili Wa Menza* or call Simon Basset *Simon Mbowe*. It’s not clever, it’s just...corny.

I prefer to stick to the originality of the books. It doesn’t hurt having Kate retain Sheffield if everyone else is keeping their names.

Just my opinion.

[wanjirakinyua]

A google doodle celebrating legendary Kenyan activist Mekatilili wa Menza, known for inspiring the Giriama people to resist colonial rule in the early 20th century. Today on the Kenyan coast, the resilient legacy of Menza is commemorated during the festivities of the traditional Malindi Cultural Festival, an annual celebration of local history and pride.

Read the article here

[coldfloorthoughts]

Tagged by: @ricciardosmile ✨

NICKNAME:

Jad

ZODIAC:

Pisces ♓

HEIGHT:

5 "8

HOGWARTS HOUSE:

Lol me and Harry Potter? Couldn't be caught 🥴

LAST THING I GOOGLED:

Mekatilili wa Menza

( Mekatilili was one of the earliest Kenyan freedom fighters born in the 1800s. She rallied her community through performing an indigenous funeral dance from the Mijikenda community in Kenya. Mekatilili called for attacks against the British imperialists who were eroding indigenous culture, stealing land and enforcing 'hut tax' upon Kenyans.) Basically, if you didn't get it, Mekatilili is a picture of feminist bad assery against the long arm of opressors and colonialists.

SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD:

Would you mind by Freshly Ground

NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS:

47 people are interested in my brain fart of a Tumblr page 🥺🥰

AMOUNT OF SLEEP:

Average between 4-6 hours. ( I kind of struggle to sleep but I haven't figured out why yet. I'm the person who survives off two hours of sleep sometimes and gets the most done which I don't understand 🤷🏽‍♀️)

LUCKY NUMBER:

I don't believe in these 🤷🏽‍♀️

WEARING:

A bralette and high waisted flowy pants (today I'm only about comfort😌)

FAVOURITE INSTRUMENT:

I love the saxophone and nearly any guitar

DREAM JOB:

I'd love to be a historian (of Kenyan and African history) or work in public policy because oh my gawd the government 🥴

( I'm thinking of studying in these fields: public policy, political science, African studies, international/area studies if that's helpful in understanding my academic and career dreams)

AESTHETICS:

Old books, olive green, mustard or pastel tones, sunsets at the edges of cliffs or mountains. Ouuu, messy flatlays!

FAVOURITE SONG:

I don't have a favourite song but my favourite musicians are Hozier and Sam Smith 🥰

I love listening to afro soul and fusion music too and I'm currently loving:

- Murder in the USA by Asa

- Midnight train by Sauti Sol.

FAVOURITE AUTHOR:

I have two:

Tomi Adeyemi (she writes afro fantasy combined with mythology and indigenous culture which I love)

Chimamanda Adichie ( explores African diaspora and continental intersections while integrating aspects like colonialism, feminism and dysfunctional families)

( honorary mention to Matthew Quick and Becky Albertelli who've written my favorite coming of age novels 🥺) definitely read:

Every exquisite thing ( Matthew Quick)

The upside of unrequited (Becky Albertelli)

FAVOURITE ANIMAL SOUND:

Birds chirping

RANDOM:

I currently go to school in Hong Kong and I'm obsessed with formula one and everything African because my continent has been disrespected for too long. I love to see my people thrive 🥰

Tagging:

If you've already been tagged or done this, lol sorry but I love your blogs 😌

@stuffstephstans @ricciardhoes @the-frenchiest-fry-13 @ilovejevsjeans @helmetswap @drivindrivin @landoavocado @albonoo @vettelewis

Rules: answer and tag 17 others if you wish

[rejectedprincesses]

Mekatilili wa Menza was arrested by British colonials on this day in 1913 - 4 days after slapping their regional administrator in a public meeting. She later escaped prison and walked over 1,000 km to return home.  

[doodle123en]

Google just released a new Doodle. It's about "Celebrating Mekatilili wa Menza" :)

#google #doodle #design

Find out more: http://en.doodle123.info/celebrating-mekatilili-wa-menza/

[doodle123de]

Heute hat Google einen Doodle mit dem Thema "Zu Ehren von Mekatilili wa Menza" veröffentlicht :)

#google #doodle #design

Mehr dazu hier: http://doodle123.info/zu-ehren-von-mekatilili-wa-menza/

[madjacks]

Celebrating Mekatilili wa Menza https://bit.ly/3afxJPJ

[khalilhumam]

Kenya: Female Freedom Fighter Mekatilili Wa Menza Celebrated On Google

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/kenya-female-freedom-fighter-mekatilili-wa-menza-celebrated-on-google/

Kenya: Female Freedom Fighter Mekatilili Wa Menza Celebrated On Google

[Thomson Reuters Foundation] Kenyan female freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza, who led the coastal Giriama people to resist British colonial rule in the early 20th century, was honoured by a Google doodle on Sunday in a move widely welcomed by social media users in the country.

[chweyanyagaka]

Google Honours Kenyan freedom fighter Mekatilili Wa Menza

Google Honours Kenyan freedom fighter Mekatilili Wa Menza

Google has honoured Kenyan female freedom fighter Mekatilili Wa Menza with a doodle on its homepage.

A Google Doodle is a special, temporary alteration of the logo on the tech giant’s homepages intended to commemorate holidays, events, achievements, and notable historical figures.

Regarded as one of the earliest freedom fighters, Mekatilili led the Giriama people in a rebellion against the…

[afriupdatenews]

Google honors Kenyan freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza

Google honors Kenyan freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza

Google honors Mekatilili Wa Menza with a Doodle on August 9, 2020.PHOTO/Google

Google has published a special Doodle on its homepage to honor and celebrate Mekatilili wa Menza, one of Kenya’s first freedom fighters.

She is known for inspiring the Giriama people to resist colonial rule in the early 20th century.

At the Kenyan coast, the resilient legacy of Menza is commemorated during the…