Moraa Wa Ng'Iti: The Story of The Magical Kisii Warrior

Moraa Wa Ng'Iti: The Magical Warrior (Kisii community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
During the pre-colonial period roles between men and women were clear-cut. Men were protectors of their homes and owned the lands. Women bore children, tended the farms and took care of the children.

Women were not supposed to speak before men. But there was one woman who did not subscribe to this narrative when it came to opposing the colonial rule in the land of the Abagusii. Her name was Moraa wa Ng’iti. of the Kitutu clan.

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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Moraa was born in the mid-1800s. She was married to Ng’iti, a reputed healer. Moraa was a brave and outspoken activist of her time. She prophesied that the Abarumbasi or Europeans would settle in Kisii and take the people’s cattle and land.

Moraa also foretold that a local man by the name Ombaati would betray the Abagusii. That is why there is a proverb among them: “Chaga osire/ buna Ombaati aasirete" meaning Die the same way Ombati did. In 1907, her prophecy became true.

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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The Kisii were invincible in war. For many years they terrorised the British colonialists as well as the surrounding communities with frequent and successful raids. The British would hit back by shooting and killing men, women and children who showed resistance.

A few Kisii chiefs gave in to pressure and collaborated with the British but Moraa wa Ng'iti relentlessly incited her people to revolt.

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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In 1905, the colonial army, swore vengeance against the Abagusii rebellion. They killed hundred of people, burned homesteads, seized livestock and destroyed crops.

Geoffrey Northcote was one of the Britons most hated by the Kisii people for his ruthless killings of locals. He is quoted to have once said this of Moraa when asked what he thought about the Kisii "Oh ! They’re peaceful enough but it is their high priestess that causes me anxious moments. She has been aloof and broods, with anger in her heart and suspicion".

Otenyo Nyamantere: The Brave (Kisii community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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Moraa could not stand what Northcote was doing to her people. So, she came up with a plan. She incited the entire community, telling them that Northcote was a sick man because only very sick people were yellow or white in colour.

She then urged her nephew Otenyo Nyamantere, one of the best warriors in the land, to lead an attack on Northcote, whom he wounded in the process, but not fatally.

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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At first, things went well for Otenyo’s forces. However, the British called for reinforcements and began a man-hunt for Otenyo. They finally caught up with him and he met death by execution.

Moraa Wa Ng'Iti: The Magical Warrior (Kisii community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya

Moraa Wa Ng’iti: The Mystical Warrior of the Abagusii
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A new operation was mounted; this time to capture Moraa wa Ng’iti herself Moraa was betrayed by local collaborators with the British who revealed her whereabouts.

She was arrested and tortured but she never renounced her resistance to British occupation. And hence her fame.

Moraa Wa Ng'Iti's legacy lives on

Brave warriors of the past defended their land against the invaders. Today, we need to protect our lands against other forces: logging, charcoal making, soil erosion, drought and flood. If we don’t stop these threats they will control us. Where forests have been cleared, soil is washed away. Where wetlands have been drained, floods fill our homesteads. Let’s protect our forests, wetlands, hilltops and riverbanks!

Credits: Story

Credits: Story
Research field work was undertaken 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), Mombasa ( for Boni, Swahili, Pokomo, Segeju and Bajuni 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.

National Museums of Kenya - Contributors
Mzalendo Kibunjia (PhD) - Director General
Purity Kiura (PhD) - Director Antiquities, Sites & Monuments
Julias Juma Ogega - Senior Curator/Research Scientist
Njuguna Gichere - Research Scientist
Lydia Gatundu - Art Curator
Emmanuel Kariuki - Exhibit Designer
Philemon Nyamanga - Curator/Research Scientist
Mercy Gakii - Curator/Research Scientist
Imelda Muoti - Curator/Archivist
Innocent Nyaga - Marketing Officer
Suzanne Wanjaria - Exhibits Designer
Ray Balongo Khaemba - Senior Collection Manager
Raphael Igombo - Education Officer

Nature Kenya - Other Contributors
The East Africa Natural History Society (EANHS)

Editing
Daisy Okoti - Shujaa Stories Ltd
Shani Mutarura - Shujaa Stories Ltd
Jeff Muchina- Shujaa Stories Ltd
Brian Kiraga - Shujaa Stories Ltd

Illustrations
Masidza Sande Galavu - Shujaa Stories Ltd
Martha Shavuya Galavu - Shujaa Stories Ltd

Photography
Eddy Ochieng - National Museums of Kenya
Linda Tambo - Shujaa Stories Ltd
Juelz Laval - Shujaa Stories Ltd

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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