INDIGENOUS CULTURES OF AFRICA (THE UMOJA WOMEN OF KENYA)

As the world becomes a global village, we undergo a process that is greatly inspired by disruptive technology.
Obviously this is the beginning of the evolution of a culture very different from the ones of old as this new culture unifies despite boundaries. As we spotlight unique cultural practises by some of these indigenous cultures, we are reminded of the threat to their existence as sited by Minority Rights Groups International due to industrialisation, urbanisation, mass migration but to mention a few.

Can we use the tools of technology to preserve the culture of old?

Modern ideologies have creeped into the community of Umoja as tourism and photography has become a tool of preservation as it caotures and celebrate the unique practises of the karo and wodaabe people.

THE UMOJA WOMEN
Feminism reached Samburu in Northern Kenya which had a strict rule of patriarchy for over 500 years up until 1990 when Umoja (Unity in Swahili), an all-female matriarch community was founded by a group of 15 women - survivor of rape by local British soldiers. Rebecca Lolosoli the founder of Umoja and the village matriarch came up with the idea of the community whilst recovering from a beating by a group of men for her attempt to enlighten the women in the village of their right. From inception, the community has expanded to include women escapind domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage which are all accepted norms of Samburu.

Over the years, similar communities such as Nachami, Supalake and Nang' ida have risen to accommodate women who no longer want to suffer at the hands of men and the culture which seems to empower them. The women of these communities take security shifts and earn their living from selling handmade jewellery to tourists.
In my next topic on Indigenous Cultures of Africa i'll be talking on the "Wodaabe Male Pageantry" and "Chalks and Ochre of the Karo".

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