See The Kenyan Village Inhabited and Ruled By Only Women

See The Kenyan Village Inhabited and Ruled By Only Women

The people of Samburu village in Kenya have had a tradition of patriarchy for over 500 years. Broadly reports that a certain Rebecca Lolosoli founded Umoja as a safe haven for the women in the region.

Where the foothills of Mount Kenya merge into the desert, the people of Samburu have maintained a strict patriarchy for over 500 years in northern Kenya. That is, until 25 years ago, when Rebecca Lolosoli founded Umoja village as a safe haven for the region’s women. Umoja, which means “unity” in Swahili, is quite literally a no man’s land, and the matriarchal refuge is now home to the Samburu women who no longer want to suffer abuses, like genital mutilation and forced marriages, at the hands of men. Throughout the years, it has also empowered other women in the districts surrounding Samburu to start their own men-excluding villages. Broadly visited Umoja and the villages it inspired to meet with the women who were fed up with living in a violent patriarchy.

“Umoja” means “Unity” in Swahili and is now a sort of matriarchal refuge for women who no longer want to suffer abuses like forced marriages and genital mutilation.

They have also indirectly empowered women in other districts surrounding Samburu to start their men-excluded villages.

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