Impact of External Influences on Southern Kikuyu Society Before the Onset of Colonial Rule in 1903

Impact of External Influences on Southern Kikuyu Society Before the Onset of Colonial Rule in 1903

Introduction
Before the establishment of British colonial rule in Kenya, the Southern Kikuyu were already experiencing external influences that began to change their way of life. L.S.B. Leakey’s The Southern Kikuyu Before 1903 investigates the early interactions between the Kikuyu and European explorers, missionaries, and traders. This article explores the initial effects of these external forces on Kikuyu society, culture, and economy.

European Explorers and Missionaries
In the late 19th century, European explorers and missionaries began arriving in the Kikuyu region, bringing with them new ideas, religions, and technologies. While some Kikuyu were attracted to the Christian religion, others resisted, viewing it as an attempt to erode traditional beliefs. The missionaries’ educational systems introduced Western values, but also caused a decline in traditional Kikuyu practices and religious ceremonies.

The Influence of Trade
Trade between the Kikuyu and European settlers gradually began to shape the local economy. The Kikuyu were introduced to new agricultural products and industrial goods, which led to changes in their trade networks. European demand for goods like ivory, coffee, and tea spurred the Kikuyu to adopt new forms of farming and economic exchange, often at the cost of their traditional methods.

Early Resistance to Colonialism
While colonial rule was not fully established by 1903, the Southern Kikuyu experienced the early seeds of resistance to foreign influence. As the Kikuyu witnessed the encroachment of European settlers on their land, the beginnings of cultural resistance emerged, rooted in the Kikuyu desire to maintain control over their land, culture, and societal structures.

Conclusion
The external influences faced by the Southern Kikuyu before 1903 set the stage for the dramatic transformations that would occur under British colonial rule. These early interactions—whether through trade, missionary work, or exploration—had a profound impact on the Kikuyu, affecting their culture, economy, and political structures in ways that would echo throughout the colonial period.

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