Continuity and change of indigenous industries among the tugen community of Baringo County, Kenya, 1895-1963

Abstract

Africa has been proven by scholars to be the cradle land of mankind in terms of origins, civilizations and technology. This has placed Africans in a position to conduct experimentations in various fields as they adapted to the diverse environment. The early exposure enabled them to be creative in terms of acquiring skills and knowledge in various fields. This came to be referred to as indigenous knowledge where Africans brought to light the superb civilization of pre-colonial communities. Some of the technological inventions included blacksmithing, leatherwork, pottery, basketry, woodcarving etc. During the colonial period the Tugen experienced great changes in response to the colonial government aggressive implementation of colonial policies which adversely affected the superb technology. The study focused on an attempt to reconstruct the history of industry under colonial rule in Baringo County between 1895 and 1963. The origins, development and the resilience to change through the turbulent years of colonialism is the interest of this study. The position that is strongly advanced through this study is that even before colonialism the Tugen of Baringo County were involved in indigenous industries using knowledge and skills which they developed independently. The study's main objective was to investigate the factors that enabled the Tugen indigenous industries to survive throughout the colonial period. .Specifically, it investigated the continuities and changes to ascertain the extend of modification, dismantling and subordination during the period. The study was conducted using the historical research method. The sources used to collect data were primary sources, secondary sources, and archival assessment. The study targeted men and women believed to be having in-depth knowledge of the Tugen indigenous industries. It also targeted areas with a concentration of the identified indigenous industries. The snowball and purposive techniques was used and a total of 28 members were interviewed. The articulating modes of production theory was used as the main tool of analysis, which showed the linkage between the capitalist and the non-capitalist mode meant to preserve and not destroy them. The findings from the study was that, the pre-colonial industry was dynamic, innovative, efficient, diverse, and self-sufficient and suited the needs of the Tugen because the technology was anchored on the environment. Secondly,the colonial conquest set a chain of events which systematically modified, marginalized, destroyed and sub-ordinated the Tugen indigenous industries. This was done through the introduction of settler economy, forced labor, currency etc geared towards achieving maximum profits. Thirdly,the Tugen response to the colonial intrusion especially after 1945, was one of survival, readjusting, co-existing and articulating with the capitalist system. Fourtly, during the Post-World War II industry was intensified by the tugen and actually saw a revolution in the sector. The tugen accepted the practices that would benefit them and rejected the undesirable ones. By independence the tugen industry had been transformed and integrated to Kenya’s colonial economy and world capitalist system. The study concluded that, the Tugen had evolved a system that enabled them to survive in the hilly environment but were ready to adopt new changes brought by colonialism. The study recommends measures to be taken geared towards orientating, reconstructing and restoring technology to its proper place in the Tugen economy.