See Mama Ngina Shaving Field Marshal Muthoni, Dreadlocks to Be Preserved at National Museum

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Revered freedom fighter Muthoni Kirima was the only woman who earned the title field marshal, a rank she shares with the likes of Dedan Kimathi.

Even today, she bears the scars of the liberation fight, but one thing that has always made her stand out is her dreadlocks.

Born in 1930, the 91-year-old has had the locks for a solid 59 years.

But now the heroine has a new look.

Her dreadlocks were shaved on Saturday by former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

The exercise was witnessed by Agikuyu elders, Nyeri deputy governor Caroline Karugu, Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Agnes Kagure among other leaders.

Litkenya.com understands that the dreadlocks will be preserved at the National Museum for the sake of future generations. They will also symbolise the Mau Mau struggle.

Muthoni took an oath to join Mau Mau movement in 1952.

Initially, her role was to supply male freedom fighters with food and other necessities in the forest.

However, her sharpness and understanding of the war saw her assimilated to the organisation, which had been outlawed by British colonisers.

Besides taking food to the Mau Mau fighters, she joined the front line.

She would also be sent in the markets to source for weapons.

This is how she described an encounter with British soldiers who were trying to squeeze information from her about the highly secretive Mau Mau operations.

“Iwas beaten up. They kicked me with their boots until I could hardly move. Blood oozed from my nostrils. They left me unconscious.”

In 1966, she was licenced to do ivory business, but the permit was cancelled 10 years later when the trade was banned.

The post See Mama Ngina Shaving Field Marshal Muthoni, Dreadlocks to Be Preserved at National Museum appeared first on LitKenya.

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