“UMOJA means UNITY in the Swahili language.”
One fascinating place is Umoja of Samburu grasslands which is located in northern Kenya, near the capital city Nairobi. It is an all-women matriarchal village and for good reasons, men are outlawed from entering and living in that village. What are those reasons? What made the women take such a decision? What does the government of Kenya have to say in this regard?
REASONS AND CAUSES BEHIND “UMOJA”
The women of Samburu had a subordinate position in society. They were refrained from owning land or livestock. The Samburu women claimed that they were subjected to rape and female genital mutilation by the British military. Eventually, they were abandoned by their husbands, fearing that their raped wives would spread STDs.
This village commenced in 1990 by Rebecca Lolosoli along with fifteen other women who provided shelter to all women who tried to escape from genital mutilation, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence or child marriage. The husbands of these women tried to create hindrances by forcefully attempting to enter Umoja. They even set up ‘unsuccessful villages’ for men.
In the end, the Samburu women were successful in establishing this village- Umoja and worked hard and ran errands to earn a livelihood and equip themselves with civic amenities.
LIFE IN “UMOJA”
The Samburu women are semi-nomadic-largely polygamist-and closely related to the Maasai tribe. Initially, they started selling vegetables grown by others to earn a living, which was unsuccessful. So they swivelled to sell traditional crafts to tourists.
In 2005, Rebecca Lolosoli visited the United Nations, men from neighbouring villages filed a case on them and in 2009, Lolosoli’s former husband attacked the village and women fled the village for safety.
PRESENT SCENARIO OF UMOJA
At the outset, children used to go to different villages to study. Gradually, the women were able to inaugurate a primary school and a nursery school. Furthermore they provide scholarships to students. Boys after turning 18 have to leave the village.
Male tourists are allowed to visit the village, but are not allowed stay there. The older women educate the younger ones about what they had to go through -forced abortions, rape, child marriage, etc.
All the women donate 10% of their earnings to fulfil the needs of the children and the village. They all gather under a “tree of speech” to discuss and take major decisions in the presence of Rebecca Lolosoli who serves as the chairperson
CONCLUSION
Umoja and its women have set an example to the world with their determination and unity. Women should take Rebecca Lolosoli as a role model and be brave, bold and strong enough to say ‘NO’ to injustice and disrespect and fight for what they deserve.
Because after all, everyone is equal before the law.
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