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East African History, Africa - Anthropology & Sociology
Mau Mau War In Perspective: Eastern African Studies by Frank Furedi β€” book cover

Mau Mau War In Perspective: Eastern African Studies

by Frank Furedi
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Overview

The book breaks new ground in following the story of the participants of the rural movement during the decade after the defeat of the Mau Mau. New archival sources and interviews provide exciting material on the mechanics of the sociology of decolonisation and on the containment of rural radicalism in Kenya. For the first time an account of decolonisation in Kenya based on primary sources is offered to the reader.

The Mau Mau was militarily crushed in the mid-fifties, but the struggle for land rights was only contained in the post-independence era of Kenya. Kikuyu squatters on European estates who formed the backbone of this movement are the main subject of this book.

Furedi's account considers how the radicalisation of rural protest in the so-called White Highlands led to the Mau Mau explosion and how it was sustained during the subsequent fifteen years.

The book establishes a focus for the discussion of these critical events through exploring the relationship between rural resistance and decolonisation. The author argues that the main issue facing post-colonial policies in Kenya was to resolve the problems raised by the Mau Mau revolt.

Written from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a special emphasis on historical and political sociology, this book is aimed at students of African politics, and political sociologists interested in rural revolution and revolt.

Synopsis

The book breaks new ground in following the story of the participants of the rural movement during the decade after the defeat of the Mau Mau. New archival sources and interviews provide exciting material on the mechanics of the sociology of decolonisation and on the containment of rural radicalism in Kenya. For the first time an account of decolonisation in Kenya based on primary sources is offered to the reader.

The Mau Mau was militarily crushed in the mid-fifties, but the struggle for land rights was only contained in the post-independence era of Kenya. Kikuyu squatters on European estates who formed the backbone of this movement are the main subject of this book.

Furedi's account considers how the radicalisation of rural protest in the so-called White Highlands led to the Mau Mau explosion and how it was sustained during the subsequent fifteen years.

The book establishes a focus for the discussion of these critical events through exploring the relationship between rural resistance and decolonisation. The author argues that the main issue facing post-colonial policies in Kenya was to resolve the problems raised by the Mau Mau revolt.

Written from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a special emphasis on historical and political sociology, this book is aimed at students of African politics, and political sociologists interested in rural revolution and revolt.

Booknews

Exploring the relationship between rural resistance and decolonization, Furedi (developmental studies, U. of Kent at Canterbury) takes advantage of new archival sources and interviews to clarify the agrarian resistance movement of Kenya's White Highlands of the 1950s. Paper edition (unseen), $15.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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Editorials

Booknews

Exploring the relationship between rural resistance and decolonization, Furedi (developmental studies, U. of Kent at Canterbury) takes advantage of new archival sources and interviews to clarify the agrarian resistance movement of Kenya's White Highlands of the 1950s. Paper edition (unseen), $15.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Book Details

Published
December 1, 1989
Publisher
Ohio University Press
Pages
239
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780821409404

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