History

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    Colonialism and The Agikuyu Women’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Food Crop Production in Kiambu, Kenya, 1902-1963.
    (Chuka University, 2019-09) Muraya, Martha Wanjiru
    The interaction between the European colonialist in Kenya and the Agikuyu people influenced the indigenous Knowledge systems related to food crop production. Particularly, the introduction colonial policies and practices undermined the vital role of the Agikuyu Women’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AWIKS) on food crop production and instead they viewed them as uncivilized and backward. Therefore, the purpose of study was to analyze the implications of colonialism on the AWIKS on food crop production in Kiambu County from 1902 to 1963. The main objectives of the study were; to explore the Agikuyu women’s indigenous knowledge systems on food crop production in pre-colonial Kiambu upto 1902, to examine the implications of European colonial policies and practices on the AWIKS on food crop production, and further to find out the effect of disregard of AWIKS on the availability of food in Kiambu. The study employed descriptive research design and it was also guided by the Neo-Marxist theory that looked at the relationship between women and the process of colonial capitalist development. The study was done in three sub-counties of Kiambu West, namely, Limuru, Lari and Kikuyu. The sample size was guided by the concept of data saturation in an interview based research. The main source of information was oral interviews, archival records analysis and secondary data. Oral interview data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and reported using basic simple descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, and tables. The study established that in pre-colonial set up, the Agikuyu women of Southern Kikuyuland (present Kiambu County) commanded detailed indigenous knowledge on weather observation and prediction, quality seed selection, indigenous farming methods, harvesting, storage and preservation in order to ensure enough food crop production in the households. In addition, the European colonial undermined the AWIKS on food crop production during the establishment of commercial crop production, land alienation and forced labour policies. Sixty (88.2%) of the respondents mentioned that between 1902 and 1963 most of the Agikuyu people were moved from their indigenous land and were pushed to poor, marginal and unproductive reserve areas where they did not have enough experience and accumulated indigenous knowledge system of the new agro-ecosystem. In addition, 29 (42,6%) of the respondents felt that the Europeans neglected most of the drought tolerant food crops in favour of fast growing commercial crops. Women were also forced to provide cheap labour in the European plantations and projects, a move that led to neglect and undermining of AWIKS on food crop production. The study also found out that during the period of political instability food crop cultivation was very little and this led to marginalization of AWIKS on food crop production. The research concluded that the integration of the Agikuyu women in colonial policies and practices undermined, neglected and pushed to the periphery the important role of AWIKS on food crop production. Therefore, the integration of AWIKS and western scientific agricultural knowledge on food crop production could be an effective way of ensuring food security.
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    CDEV 215: CIVIL SOCIETIES AND DEVELOPMENT
    (CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2023-04-21) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
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    History of the Agikuyu women’s local trade system in indigenous food crops and its effects on food security in Nyeri county, 1902-1980
    (Chuka University, 2024) Gitonga Julius Mathenge
    The purpose of this study was to examine the history of Agikuyu women’s local trade system on indigenous food crops and its contribution to food security in Nyeri County from 1902 to 1980. The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish the role of pre-colonial Agikuyu women’s local trade on indigenous food Crops in enhancing food security in Nyeri County, to analyze the change in the Agikuyu women’s trade on indigenous food crops in Nyeri County from 1902 to 1980 and to assess the effect of emerging trade patterns in women’s indigeous food crops on food security from 1902 to 1980. The research was guided by two theories Marxist feminist theory and articulation theory. This study was conducted in three subcounties: Kieni East, Mathira East, and Nyeri Central. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources such as key informats, archival data and document analysis. The research employed a historical research design based on qualitative procedures. The design enabled the researcher to explain, describe and give a historical analysis of the findings. This being a historical study, non-probability sampling procedures were used such as purposive and snowball sampling techniques to gather relevant information. A sample size threshold of 54 respondents was interviewed as Kathuru & Pals (1993) recommended since the total population of the three sampled sub-counties was classified as a minor group. The main research instruments were the interview guide and focus group discussion. Data for this study was analysed qualitatively using documentary content analysis, description and narration of the historical events. Data was also corroborated and both context and content analysis were done to ensure reliability and validity of the information. Interpretation was done within the framework of Marxist feminist theory and articulation theory. The study established that in pre-colonial period women formed the backbone of Nyeri County's food security through their local exchange system, leveraging their deep understanding on well-established trade networks of indigenous food crops that helped to mitigate food shortage. However, the women’s local food crops trade system has not been static the colonial capitalist economic practices brought about profound changes in the economic and social fabric of Nyeri County and significantly undermined the women’s local trade. This resulted to both positive and negative influence to the dimensions of food security in the study area. It was established that the indigenous food crops that women exchanged in the local markets were well adapted to local conditions, sustainably available and provided essential nutrients necessary for the health and well-being of the community. The findings of this study illustrate the pivotal role of Agikuyu women in local trade systems and its substantial contribution to food security in Nyeri County. The study concludes that the ministry of trade should come up with deliberate measures that will integrate women’s local trade into the country’s economic policies and practices and also consider the valuable contribution of women local trade in mitigating food shortage and ensuring eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.