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Showing posts with the label Kenyan history

Kitum Cave: Story of a Cave in Mount Elgon National Park that Harbours Deadly Virus

  File image of the entrance of Kitum cave Kitum Cave, situated in Mount Elgon National Park in Kenya, gained notoriety after two visitors contracted the deadly Marburg virus and subsequently died.  Research indicates that the virus thrives in caves and mines where animals like Rousettus colony bats leave traces of their presence.  Humans exposed to such environments for extended periods may contract the virus, as was the case with the French nationals—a man who died in 1980 and a boy in 1987—shortly after visiting Kitum Cave. These two deaths prompted investigations, including a visit from the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) to ascertain the cause of the fatalities.  Surprisingly, the research did not find any signs of the Marburg virus at the time, leading to a discrepancy with earlier reports attributing the deaths to the virus. Despite these mixed findings, Kitum Cave remains one of the most dangerous caves worldwide...

The Details of the Maasai of Kenya

  Image via Unsplash The Maasai people, a pastoralist ethnic group, reside in Kenya and Tanzania.  They are known for their distinctive attire, rich oral traditions, and strong cultural identity.  The Maasai maintain a deep connection to their land and center their unique way of life around cattle herding.  Let's delve into an overview of the Maasai people. Family Structure In the Maasai patriarchal family, the man held the key role, with his control tentatively being supreme.  He had his hut, while his wives and children had their own.  They dwelled in small manyattas, which were temporary since they were pastoralists. Read Also: The Major Maasai Subgroups and Clans Clans Among the traditional Maasai, the clan system was important since the members of each clan had communal support obligations.  The clans identified themselves with branding made on cows according to the different clans.  The Maasai clans are;  Il-aiser Il-molelian Il-makesen...

The Heroic Freedom Fighter, Dedan Kimathi

  File image of the revolutionary leader Dedan Kimathi Dedan Kimathi was the leader of Mau Mau, Kenya's armed independence movement. He is regarded as a revolutionary leader who fought against British colonialists until his execution.  But that’s not all. Dedan Kimathi left a lasting impact on Kenya's struggle for freedom, inspiring generations with his resilience and determination. Want to know more?  I've compiled everything you need to know about Dedan Kimathi.  Keep reading! Read Also: Waiyaki Wa Hinga The Details of Dedan Kimathi’s Life In this section, we’ll look at every detail of Dedan Kimathi’s life; from childhood to death. Let’s get started. Dedan Kimathi’s Upbringing Dedan Kimathi was born as Kimathi wa Waciuri on October 31, 1920, in Thege village near Nyeri in central Kenya. His early life was shaped by adversity, as his father had passed away before his birth. Raised in the colonial era, Kimathi's early education was challenging, compounded by the abse...