Journal of History and Cultural Studies (JHCS) http://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhcs <p><strong><a href="https://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhss">Journal of History and Cultural Studies (ISSN: 2957-6504</a>) </strong>is a double-blind peer reviewed, open access, online Journal published by “<a href="https://editononline.com/"><strong>Editon Consortium Publishing</strong></a>”, East Africa, Kenya. The Journal publishes original scholarly research (empirical and theoretical), in form of case studies, reviews and analyses history and cultural studies.</p> Editon Consortium Publishing en-US Journal of History and Cultural Studies (JHCS) 2957-6504 The genesis of land-based violence in Mt. Elgon from the precolonial period to the postcolonial period http://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhcs/article/view/473 <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify; tab-stops: 1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Gadugi','sans-serif';">This study traces the genesis of land-based conflicts in Mt. Elgon from the precolonial period to the postcolonial period. This research was conducted in Mount Elgon Sub County in Kapsokwony, Kaptama, Kopsiro, and Cheptais. This research utilised primary as well as secondary sources of data. Secondary data was procured from Kenyatta University Library, among other libraries. Primary data was collected from the Kenya National Archives as well as from oral sources through interviewing the identified respondents in the field. Data instruments that were used include questionnaires and question guides. The procedures employed in collecting primary data included in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The primary oral data was analysed by first translating oral interviews from the Sabaot language to English, grouping data according to the objectives, and verifying any possible contradicting information. After that, the data was coroborated with archival and secondary data and then presented through descriptive narratives. The families in the Mount Elgon area faced several difficulties, which called for the government to handle the issues, which undermined the significance of peace in the region. This study concludes that the land issue and the emergence of the Sabaot Land Defense Force in Mount Elgon, Bungoma, dates back to the pre-colonial and post-colonial periods and the post-colonial Government's inefficiency. The colonial Government's land ordinances, laws, and concessions played a significant part in the challenges facing the land issues in Kenya.</span></p> Kiptoch William Ndiema Wafula Wekesa Isaiah Oduor Copyright (c) 2023 Kiptoch William Ndiema https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0 2024-02-13 2024-02-13 3 1 1 20 10.51317/jhcs.v3i1.473 Tugen culture and art: A critical study of Tugen mother language (form) in preservation of Tugen cultural identity http://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhcs/article/view/483 <p>This paper examines and analyses the use of Tugen's mother language, which is explicitly manifested in both verbal and nonverbal communication. To understand the Tugen culture, it is imperative to examine the deeper and hidden meanings expressed in the use of the Tugen mother language as an integral part of Tugen culture in the preservation of its cultural identity. A superficial use of Tugen's mother language will lead to a misinterpretation of Tugen cultural identity. The study discusses the use of Tugen's mother language in instilling a set standard of behaviour being expressed in art (nonverbal communication, e.g. models, symbolism, magical objects, ceremonial dance, etc.) and beliefs/spiritual, physical, social and ideational environment (verbal communication). This study is intended to enhance knowledge, skills and countless norms guiding people’s way of interactions and coping with the ideational environment by identifying norms affecting knowledge, rituals, ideas, magic, and emotions which are being shared by the Tugen people so as to cope with the various and numerous demands of life. Therefore, the Tugen mother language forms an integral part of the modern educational system. The paper concludes that without a proper understanding of the deeper and hidden use of Tugen's mother language, it will result in the misrepresentation of Tugen culture, and that the proper use of the Tugen mother language will also lead to protection, provision and treatment against the exigencies of life experienced in the physical and spiritual world, especially in handling stressful life challenges to the "known meaningful" worldview of the Tugen people.</p> Japheth Kigen Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0 2024-03-01 2024-03-01 3 1 21 33 10.51317/jhcs.v3i1.483 Colonial transformation of the Aembu land access and labour division systems in food crop production from 1906-1963 http://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhcs/article/view/579 <p>This study examined the colonial transformation of the Aembu access to land and labour division in food crop production from 1906-1963. Colonial practices and policies undermined the Aembu land and labour systems in food crop production. Methodologically, the study used descriptive research design and Articulation of Modes of Production Theory. The study was conducted in Embu East, Embu West and Embu North sub-counties of Embu. The study targeted a population of 16,144 people based on the 2019 census. Corroborated data was obtained from oral, archival and secondary sources to establish the reliability and validity of the research. The study’s findings were that the creation of African reserves to pave way for white settlement and labour supply from Africans led to the abandonment of crop farms since they were far away; the reserves had limited land sizes with poor soils for the production of enough food while most of the food storage facilities were destroyed in the process of migration and that during the political crisis of World Wars and Mau Mau, labour in food crop production was reduced. It concluded that colonialism transformed the Aembu land and labour systems while the co-existence of pre-colonial and colonial access to land and labour systems on the production of food crops exposed the community to famines. The study recommends that policymakers should come up with strategies for promoting traditional forms of access to land and labour to ensure adequate food crop production.</p> Mary Wangai Mbogo Caroline Mucece Kithinji Martha Muraya Copyright (c) 2024 Mary Wangai Mbogo, Caroline Mucece Kithinji, Martha Muraya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0 2024-09-10 2024-09-10 3 1 34 45 10.51317/jhcs.v3i1.579 A History of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in the Eastern Region (1915 to 2022) http://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhcs/article/view/595 <p>The study sought to trace the history of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in the Eastern Region from 1915 to 2022. PCEA was introduced by the Church of Scotland Mission (CSM) in 1915. It has been in the Eastern Region (Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties) for over a century now and is one of the dominant denominations in the area. However, no systematic study has been done to trace its history. The history of the Methodist Church in Kenya, the Anglican Church, and the Catholic Church in the Eastern Region is well documented, but that of PCEA in the region is conspicuously missing. This gave the authors the impetus to carry out such a study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data was collected and analysed from 438 respondents, including 9 presbytery moderators, 53 church ministers, and 376 church members. The study established that PCEA was brought to the Eastern Region by the CSM. The first missionaries were Africans sent from Kikuyu and Tumutumu. They were later joined by Dr Clive Irvine in 1922. A mission station was established at Chogoria, from where the church spread to other parts of the lower and upper Meru. The study concludes that PCEA is one of the dominant denominations in the Eastern Region. The study recommends that PCEA should come up with better methods of storing data to avoid losing it and preserve its heritage.</p> Lucy Mwindi Dickson Nkonge Kagema Caroline Mucece Kithinji Copyright (c) 2024 Lucy Mwindi, Dickson Nkonge Kagema, Caroline Mucece Kithinji https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0 2024-10-02 2024-10-02 3 1 46 61 10.51317/jhcs.v3i1.595