Chief Mukudi: The Chief’s Star (Samia community)
Shujaa Stories2020
National Museums of Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
Have you heard of the destiny quote “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves”? Chief Mukudi was the epitome of that quote. From a young age he seemed to know what he wanted and aligned his life with greatness. Of course it helped that he originated from the Abumulembo clan that ruled the Samia people in Bunyala since the 16th century.
Though little is known about Mukudi’s childhood, he was born around 1881 in Rugunga, his father was the famous Chief Namwonja and he was raised by his step-mothers. As a son of a chief, he was privileged to attend formal school and was sent off to the Catholic Mission School in Kibuye, Kisumu in 1909.
Upon his return, Mukudi wooed and married the Angelic Syeunga, a girl from Wanga Dynasty, thus aligning himself with royalty. Mukudi then became an activist for the rights of the Samia, fighting oppression by the Wanga people of Mumias from 1910 until he was elected as a chief of Samia in 1927.
Although Chief Mukudi might be regarded by some as a chief who collaborated with the white man, in truth he detested Christianity and colonialism. His collaboration with the white man was a strategy to advance the interests of his people. During his time as a chief (1927-1948) he tirelessly worked to see his wish, the Samia and Abanyala people have the best western education, come true. He established schools such as Nangina, Sigalame, Namboboto, Dibworo among others. Some of these schools have retained prestige to date.
Chief Mukudi was conferred the King's Jubilee Medal in 1935, and the Chief’s Star in 1938. Mukudi resigned in 1948 due to old age but remained in active politics and administration of Central Nyanza.
With the onset of Kenya’s fight for independence, Chief Mukudi joined the Mau Mau movement and oversaw the setting up of an anti-imperialist oathing centre in Ssenya forest in Samia. This resulted in his arrest and detention in Kajiado prison on May 11, 1954.
As soon as he got a chance, he led a delegation that agitated for his home area to join Northern Nyanza (current Western Region). He also spearheaded the creation of Busia District. He died a hero on June 28, 1969, and is buried in his home of Namalo.
Bonus Information
Bunyala forest, found in Kakamega County, covers an area of 826.6 hectares and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service.
- Title: Chief Mukudi: The Chief’s Star (Samia community)
- Creator: Shujaa Stories
- Date Created: 2020
- Location: Kenya
- Rights: Shujaa Stories in collaboration with Nature Kenya and the National Museums of Kenya
- Research statement: Research was undertaken through on ground field work in Samburu and Marsabit (for Gabbra, Samburu, Rendille, Saakuye, Dasanach, Elmolo, Waayu a.k.a Waata, and Burji superheroes/heroines), Embu and Tharaka (for Aembu, Tharaka, Ameru and Mbeere superheroes/heroines) and Taita-Taveta/Voi (for Taveta superheroes/heroines) capturing all information about the heroes from the 30 selected ethnic groups/communities by Museum’s research team.
- Community: Samia
- About Shujaa Stories: This is a Kenyan superhero display of the country’s pre-independence legends who fought for their communities’ land, freedom and spiritual well-being; and are revered by their communities to date. Conceptualized in 2017, the idea was the brain-child of Masidza Sande Galavu (1993-2020) who was a Creative Director and co-founder at Shujaa Stories and Tatu Creatives in Nairobi. ‘Shujaa’ is a Swahili word that means brave or courageous. It also refers to someone who is a hero. Shujaa Stories made its public debut with an exhibition at the Nairobi National Museum in 2018. It shined light on 28 of Kenya’s greatest heroes and heroines. Each story was coupled with a bonus text on conservation related to the heritage sites surrounding where these legends once lived. In 2020, supported by National Museums of Kenya and Google Arts and Culture, Shujaa Stories Ltd completed over 30 new shujaas that cut across the major and marginalized Kenyan communities. Kenya is rich in history and culture. Some of this richness has been brought out in our books, museums and in theatre. But there is one major section of our history that has been left out, especially to the younger generation of Kenyans, which are our pre-independence legendary heroes. Some of these heroes are known well beyond their communities due to the respect they managed to garner across the region. Many of them have a well-developed and sophisticated folklore which embodies their history, traditions, morals, worldview and wisdom. The design language chosen for the entire exhibition is animated illustrations that seek to bring out the superhero character of each shujaa.
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