S2 E3: Mau Mau Uprising, with Nikita Gill
The Mau Mau Uprising was another lesser-known conflict that took place during the end of the British Empire between Kenyan insurgents and British forces. We ask questions like, What does Mau Mau actually mean? What happened in Britain’s detention camps? What was decolonisation? And what is the legacy of the conflict today?
In this episode we were joined by renowned poet and writer Nikita Gill, alongside IWM expert Niels Boender, historian John Lonsdale and researcher Rose Miyonga.
This episode contains references to racism and sexual violence in conflict. Some listeners may find descriptions distressing.
CELEBRITY GUEST
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Nikita Gill is a poet, author and playwright who has written and curated several volumes of poetry.
OBJECTS
See some of the IWM collection items featured in this episode.
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Mau Mau handstamp
A stamp bearing depiction of Mount Kenya with traditional weapons superimposed and text: 'MUTURI NIWE NGO YA RURIRI'. This proverb translates as 'A Blacksmith is the shield of the tribe' and signifies the importance of artisans to the anti-colonial war effort.
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Photograph of Kikuyu Home Guards
Image of two Kikuyu Home Guards, camouflaged in dense forest. The British Army relied heavily on so-called 'loyalist' Kikuyu to defeat Mau Mau.
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Image of a village in Kenya.
Image of an Emergency Village constructed during the Emergency. Tens of thousands of Kikuyu, especially women and children were forced into these villages, ringed by barbed wire.
Conflict of Interest- Series Two
See more from Series Two of Conflict of Interest, a podcast which invites celebrities to ask the simple questions about the world's most complex conflicts, with guests including comedian & activist Eddie Izzard, actor Katherine Parkinson and radio host Cerys Matthews, alongside curators, experts and eyewitnesses.
