Mukite Wa Namene: The Drumming Warrior (Bukusu community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
21 of Kenya’s greatest heroes and heroines
“Shujaa” is a Swahili word that means brave or courageous. It also refers to someone who is a hero. Here 21 of Kenya's greatest heroes and heroines are celebrated. They fought for their communities’ land, freedom and spiritual well-being; and they are revered by their communities to this day. We tell the stories of our past because we are proud of how far we’ve come, and to inspire our own stories.
Mekatilili Wa Menza: Wonder Woman (Giriama community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
What are your superpowers?
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 for the younger generation of Kenyans: and that is our legendary pre-independence heroes, and the heritage sites surrounding where they once lived.
Every community has its famous historical leaders. 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 Abba Gadas: The Rich Ancient Borana Leadership System (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
1: The Abba Gadas - The Ancient Borana Leadership System
Meet the Abba Gada, head of the Adula council. For five hundred years, the Borana religiously followed this system of ruling themselves because it kept them together, in unity.
Democracy existed in Africa long before the white man ever set foot on the African continent, and strong, age old dynasties are not the preserve of Europe and Asia.
Abdulla: The Mad Mulla (Somali community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
2: Abdulla - The Mad Mulla
Mohammed Abdulla Hassan was born in the 1870s in Kob Fardod near Kirrit, in what later became Somaliland.
After his pilgrimage to Mecca, years after his grandfather had died in 1875, he met religious fundamentalists who changed his perceptions of the world and the British rule over his motherland. He regarded the whites as infidels.
The Mullah acquired weapons from the Ottoman empire, Sudan and other Islamic communities, and declared war on all infidels (the British). With 5000 of his followers armed with 200 guns, he created the Dervish empire.
Ajuran Sultanate: The Royals From Somali (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
3: Ajuran Sultanate - The Royals From Somali
In the midst of the vast Somali expanse in the 13 century, a great empire dwelt upon the land. Their canal system was a marvel of hydraulic engineering and, with a centralized system of government, the Sultans at the helm, and a strong military, not even the Oromo from the west and the Portuguese from the east could measure up to its might. This was the Ajuran Dynasty.
Cierume: The Dancing Warrior (Mbeere community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
4: Cierume - The Dancing Embu Warrior
Cierume was the dancing warrior from Embu, who killed men with her dancing stick, and went on to become a powerful, fearless leader.
In the end, Cierume lost her chieftainship as a result of a conspiracy by the jealous men. In spite of this, her legacy lives on and her name continues to inspire Embu women to show determination in everything they do.
Ciokaraine: The Brave (Meru community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
5: Ciokaraine - The Brave Meru Warrior
Ciokaraine M’Barungu was a prominent female diviner, leader and human rights activist from Meru.
She is said to have been as famous as Cierume of the Mbeere and Wangu wa Makeri of the Gikuyu.
Hawecha: The Dreamer (Oromo community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
7: Hawecha - The Oromo Dreamer
At a time when men ruled the world and young women had no authority whatsoever, Oromo girl Hawecha gradually rose to a position of unprecedented leadership and power, becoming the most famous prophetess of the Oromo people.
Karuri Wa Gakure: The Great Chief (Kikuyu community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
8: Karuri Wa Gakure - The Great Kikuyu Chief
Karuri wa Gakure was a famous Kikuyu medicine man and warrior. He was initiated into the trade as a traditional doctor and became famous for his skills. His fame increased further when he gave war medicine to the Kikuyu warriors of Karura in Kiambu to help them triumph over the Maasai warriors of Naivasha.
Kimnyole Arap Turukat: The Legend (Nandi community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
9: Kimnyole Arap Turukat - The Nandi Legend
Kimnyole Arap Turukat was the fourth Nandi Orkoiyot – a spiritual and military leader – during the early 1800s. Kimnyole is remembered for his powerful prophecies, which forever altered the lives of the Nandi.
Koitalel Arap Samoei: The Mighty Prophet (Nandi community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
10: Koitalel Arap Samoei - The Mighty Nandi Prophet
Koitalel Arap Samoei was Kimnyole Arap Turukat's son He was the closest to his father and had a greater ability to understand prophetic signs than his brothers. At 25, Samoei succeeded his father as the Orkoiyot, the supreme spiritual and political chief of the Nandi people.
Lenana: The Wise One (Maasai community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
11: Lenana - The Wise Maasai
Lenana was a famous Maasai Laiboni, who inherited prophetic powers from his powerful father. His legacy lives on today through one of the peaks of Mount Kenya, which was named after him.
Mekatilili Wa Menza: Wonder Woman (Giriama community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
13: Mekatilili Wa Menza - The Giriama Wonder Woman
Thought to have been born in the 1840s, Mekatilili is said to have been one of Kenya’s earliest freedom fighters.
Mepoho: The Magic Woman (Giriama community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
14: Mepoho - The Magic Giriama Woman
The Magic Woman Mepoho was a Mijikenda diviner of repute. She would take part in a spiritual dance, through which – upon being possessed by a spirit – she could then prophesy. She could foretell of any calamities such as drought, famine or foods.
Mepoho also foretold the coming of the British colonialists, before the earth opened and she was swallowed alive.
Mugo Wa Kibiru: The Seer (Kikuyu community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
15: Mugo wa Kibiru - The Kikuyu Seer
Mugo wa Kibiru was a famous Kikuyu prophet. He prophesied about the coming of the white man, and foretold the destruction of Kikuyu tribal customs.
Mukite Wa Namene: The Drumming Warrior (Bukusu community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
16: Mukite wa Namene - The Drumming Bukusu Warrior
Among the Bukusu, a story is told of an orphaned boy, born in the 1790s, who rose up to beat the odds, playing war drums and uniting the people of Bukusu Land.
To this day, Mukite’s bravery, and how he united the Bukusu people, is a tale told with pride among the inhabitants of Western Kenya.
Mwangeka Wa Malowa: The Magnificent (Taita community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
17: Mwangeka Wa Malowa - The Magnificent Taita Warrior
Mwangeka wa Malowa was a hero, soldier and Chief of the Taita people. As a leader, he championed his people in opposing colonial rule in the 19th century.
Nabongo Mumia: The Noble (Wanga Kingdom) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
18: Nabongo Mumia - The Noble Wanga
King Nabongo Mumia was considered a very popular living legend and a great king by his subjects, because his style of ruling was different from that of those before him. During the colonial administration, the British were in awe of his power and influence, and Nabongo Mumia was recognized as a paramount chief.
Otenyo Nyamantere: The Brave (Kisii community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
19: Otenyo Nyamanetere - The Brave Kisii Warrior
Otenyo was an Kisii warrior who led the resistance against the British invasion of Kisii.
After being executed by the British, Otenyo was seen as a martyr, and his legend grew larger than life as the years went on.
Sakawa: The Foreteller (Kisii community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
20: Sakawa - The Kisii Foreteller
Sakawa was one of the most prominent seers of the Abagusii people and was said to have supernatural powers. One of his most famous demonstrations of his supernatural powers was when he helped the Kisii defeat well-trained and experienced Kipsingis warriors, who had raided them to restock their livestock.
Syokimau: The Oracle (Kamba community) (2019) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya
21: Syokimau - The Kamba Oracle
Long before the coming of the white man, possession of supernatural powers was greatly revered among the Kenyan tribes. Of these tribes, only a few individuals could rival Syokimau of the Kamba for prophetic powers.
Created by Tatu Creatives, the illustrations were part of the exhibition ‘Shujaa Stories’ at the Nairobi National Museum. “Shujaa” is a Swahili word that means brave or courageous. It also refers to someone who is a hero. The exhibition shined light on 28 of Kenya’s greatest heroes and heroines. They fought for their communities’ land, freedom and spiritual well-being; and they are revered by their communities to date.
Learn more about the National Museums of Kenya by visiting our website.
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