Over work lunch, I learned about the Mungiki in Kenya...it's a sect made of primarily the Kikuyu's. They are highly organized and a very secretive community with traditional initiation processes. It seems as though they are not entirely understood and are feared by most Kenyans due to the commonly believed beheading and mutilation practices if you ever cross them. The stereotypical Mungiki rock their dreadlocks and play a key role organizing the Matatus industry. My friend said that one time her friend forgot her phone in a matatu, then they phoned a guy who is a mungiki, a couple hours later, the phone is located and returned. This level of organization and efficiency is rare and even more amazing considering the chaotic and unorganized nature of Kenya. But of course, there's always 2 side to a story, there are arguments that there's benefit to the Mungiki that they provide services and protection that's so lacking from the government, that they are very disciplined people who teach good, traditional Kikuyu moral values...
Here's a fascinating documentary made by Ross Kemp from the UK with some inside view into the Mungiki sect:
What I found interesting is the culture of retaliation and fear lives strong in the African society. To me, it is very primal and reminds me of movies like Braveheart and Apocalypto. One one hand, I feel that it's just part of the tradition, but on the other hand, I wonder how human civilizations evolve from that? I mean, we can all trace our ancestry all the way back to a time in history where people live tribal lives and fought violently with other tribes to maintain territories. Some of the fear tactics such as killing 10 people to instill fear in 100 people isn't anything new. But, why have some civilizations stopped such practices and began the art of negotiation, and others still have this an eye for an eye type thinking very much in their daily practice? Is this education? Is it tolerance? Maybe, but both takes time and generations to make a difference. Is there something else that can cool the blood down faster so people can think more before they act? When survival is the top priority in your every day lives, don't we all give in to the adrenaline/fight or flight instinct, and act impulsively? Perhaps negotiation and talks are the luxury of the wealthy, and poverty is the true cause of violence and conflict. I'm pretty sure that if my child is going to die of hunger tomorrow, I probably won't have problem harming someone who's stolen the last bread in my house away.
Here's a fascinating documentary made by Ross Kemp from the UK with some inside view into the Mungiki sect:
What I found interesting is the culture of retaliation and fear lives strong in the African society. To me, it is very primal and reminds me of movies like Braveheart and Apocalypto. One one hand, I feel that it's just part of the tradition, but on the other hand, I wonder how human civilizations evolve from that? I mean, we can all trace our ancestry all the way back to a time in history where people live tribal lives and fought violently with other tribes to maintain territories. Some of the fear tactics such as killing 10 people to instill fear in 100 people isn't anything new. But, why have some civilizations stopped such practices and began the art of negotiation, and others still have this an eye for an eye type thinking very much in their daily practice? Is this education? Is it tolerance? Maybe, but both takes time and generations to make a difference. Is there something else that can cool the blood down faster so people can think more before they act? When survival is the top priority in your every day lives, don't we all give in to the adrenaline/fight or flight instinct, and act impulsively? Perhaps negotiation and talks are the luxury of the wealthy, and poverty is the true cause of violence and conflict. I'm pretty sure that if my child is going to die of hunger tomorrow, I probably won't have problem harming someone who's stolen the last bread in my house away.
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