Journal of History and Cultural Studies

Tugen culture and arts: A critical study of Tugen mother language in preservation of Tugen cultural identity

Japheth Kigen — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines and analyses use of Tugen mother language that is explicitly manifested in both verbal and nonverbal communication. Over the years, Tugen culture has been preserved and passed on to generations using mother language. It is, therefore, imperative to examine deeper and hidden meanings expressed in use of Tugen mother language in preservation of its cultural identity. The study first examined and then proceeded to analyse the use of the Tugen mother language. Research methods used in this study are descriptive: observation, interviews, focus group and personal experience. The paper discusses the use of Tugen mother language in instilling a set of standard behaviours being expressed in art and nonverbal communication, e.g. models, symbolism, magical objects, ceremonial dance, etc. and verbal communication, i.e. beliefs/spiritual, physical, social and ideational environment. This paper is intended to enhance knowledge, skills and norms guiding people’s way of interactions and coping with the ideational environment by identifying norms affecting knowledge, rituals, ideas, magic, and emotions that are being shared by the Tugen so as to cope with the various and numerous demands of life. The study concludes that without proper understanding of the deeper and hidden use of Tugen mother language will result in the misrepresentation of Tugen culture. And that the proper use of Tugen mother language will also lead to protection, provision and treatment against the exigencies of life experienced in the physical and spiritual world, especially in handling stressful life challenges to the "known meaningful" worldview of the Tugen people.

A history of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in the Eastern Region (1915 to 2022)

Lucy Muthoni Mwindi, Dickson Nkonge Kagema, Caroline Mucece Kithinji — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study sought to trace the history of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in the Eastern Region from 1915 to 2022. PCEA was introduced by the Church of Scotland Mission (CSM) in 1915. It has been in the Eastern Region (Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties) for over a century now and is one of the dominant denominations in the area. However, no systematic study has been done to trace its history. The history of the Methodist Church in Kenya, the Anglican Church, and the Catholic Church in the Eastern Region is well documented, but that of PCEA in the region is conspicuously missing. This gave the authors the impetus to carry out such a study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data was collected and analysed from 438 respondents, including 9 presbytery moderators, 53 church ministers, and 376 church members. The study established that PCEA was brought to the Eastern Region by the CSM. The first missionaries were Africans sent from Kikuyu and Tumutumu. They were later joined by Dr Clive Irvine in 1922. A mission station was established at Chogoria, from where the church spread to other parts of the lower and upper Meru. The study concludes that PCEA is one of the dominant denominations in the Eastern Region. The study recommends that PCEA should come up with better methods of storing data to avoid losing it and preserve its heritage.

Colonial transformation of the Aembu land access and labour division systems in food crop production from 1906- 1963

Mbogo Mary Wangai, Caroline Mucece Kithinji, Muraya Martha — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the colonial transformation of the Aembu access to land and labour division in food crop production from 1906-1963. Colonial practices and policies undermined the Aembu land and labour systems in food crop production. Methodologically, the study used descriptive research design and Articulation of Modes of Production Theory. The study was conducted in Embu East, Embu West and Embu North sub-counties of Embu. The study targeted a population of 16,144 people based on the 2019 census. Corroborated data was obtained from oral, archival and secondary sources to establish the reliability and validity of the research. The study’s findings were that the creation of African reserves to pave way for white settlement and labour supply from Africans led to the abandonment of crop farms since they were far away; the reserves had limited land sizes with poor soils for the production of enough food while most of the food storage facilities were destroyed in the process of migration and that during the political crisis of World Wars and Mau Mau, labour in food crop production was reduced. It concluded that colonialism transformed the Aembu land and labour systems while the co-existence of pre-colonial and colonial access to land and labour systems on the production of food crops exposed the community to famines. The study recommends that policymakers should come up with strategies for promoting traditional forms of access to land and labour to ensure adequate food crop production.

The genesis of land-based violence in Mt. eEgon from the precolonial period to the postcolonial period

Kiptoch William Ndiema, Wafula Wekesa, Isaiah Oduor — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study traces the genesis of land-based conflicts in Mt. Elgon from the precolonial period to the postcolonial period. This research was conducted in Mount Elgon Sub County in Kapsokwony, Kaptama, Kopsiro, and Cheptais. This research utilised primary as well as secondary sources of data. Secondary data was procured from Kenyatta University Library, among other libraries. Primary data was collected from the Kenya National Archives as well as from oral sources through interviewing the identified respondents in the field. Data instruments that were used include questionnaires and question guides. The procedures employed in collecting primary data included in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The primary oral data was analysed by first translating oral interviews from the Sabaot language to English, grouping data according to the objectives, and verifying any possible contradicting information. After that, the data was coroborated with archival and secondary data and then presented through descriptive narratives. The families in the Mount Elgon area faced several difficulties, which called for the government to handle the issues, which undermined the significance of peace in the region. This study concludes that the land issue and the emergence of the Sabaot Land Defense Force in Mount Elgon, Bungoma, dates back to the pre-colonial and post-colonial periods and the postcolonial Government's inefficiency. The colonial Government's land ordinances, laws, and concessions played a significant part in the challenges facing the land issues in Kenya.