Page 84 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 4

AFRIKA'S HEROES AFRIKA'S HEROES

Mekatilili

wa Menza:

Terror of the

British

Imperialists

RESEARCHED BY CHIOMA PHILLIPS
ART SOURCE: Online

ut of the migrations and
the territorial wars of
the peoples of Afrika, a
Ocommunity comprised
of nine sub-tribes, known as the
Midzichenda/Mijikenda (nine
families/tribes) settled at the east
coast of Kenya. Two of these
communities, the Digo and the
Giriama, grew in prominence and
in size, the latter giving birth to a
woman who would set in motion Mepoho who said that men when their first son, Katilili,
a series of events that boggled with hair like sisal, who moved was born (Mother of Katilili).
the minds of the hostile British on the air, water and land in Mekatilili was a bold woman, who
invaders and land grabbers. It is vessels would come and bring actively participated in traditional
no surprise that of all the tribes, changes some good and some women’s groups known as Hifudu
the Giriama were chosen, they bad. Mnyazi would have been and Makushekushe, eventually
were known for being fearless told that this was about the white rising to lead the latter. By this
in nature and for their clever war man who would come to the east time, the British were imposing
tactics. And so from the rhythmic coast to oppress her people, but their illegitimate authority over
lands of the east coast of Afrika, that Mepoho had also prophesied Kenya, forcing the Giriama to
where the swaying palms move in that a girl would be born to the work as manual laborers in their
tune with the wind of the whispers Giriama community who would plantations, conscripting them
of the Holy Spirit, a deliverer, later withstand them. Mnyazi was also into military service to fight in
named Mekatilili wa Menza arose. powerfully impacted when she WWI, collecting taxes to finance
Born Mnyazi wa Menza (Mnyazi witnessed the sheer brutality and their illegal rule and inhibiting
child of Menza) in the mid 1800s, callousness of the Arab slavers the free movement of the young
in Mutara wa Tsatsu, Ganze firsthand, during a trading visit men of the community. Mepoho’s
Village, she was the only girl she made to Malindi. The Arabs words must have been ringing in
out of five children. She and her ruthlessly and selfishly tore one Mekatilili’s ears, along with freshly
family were of modest means. of her brothers, away from his opened wounds of the memory of
Her earliest influences appear to family… and he was never seen her brother’s abduction.
have come from the stories her again. Following Dyeka’s death,
mother told her that were first Mnyazi was married to Dyeka wa Mekatilili rose up with fire in
spoken by Giriama Prophetess Duka and was renamed Mekatilili her belly, moving around her

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