They say culture brings people together and drive ideologies. That is exactly what happened when the annually Mekatilili Wa Menza festivals took off.
It was colour and pomp as the festival used to commemorate the heroine who led the Mijikenda in fighting against the British colonialists kicks off in Malindi.
But this year, the organisers of the event, Malindi District Cultural Association (MADCA) said the celebrations are different as they would not go to Shakahola village where Mekatilili attacked British colonialist Arthur Champion as planned due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Instead, the Kaya elders began by conducting prayers at the Uhuru gardens in Malindi town where there is a statue of the Mijikenda heroine and then marched in town distributing face masks and sensitizing people on the importance of following the ministry of health protocols and coexisting peacefully.
Both men and women dressed in full traditional regalia attended the ceremony though numbers were low due to the Covid-19 restriction.
Malindi District Cultural Association (MADCA) Secretary-General Joseph Karisa Mwarandu said in the previous years the festival used to attract hundreds of people but since last year the number is less due to the pandemic.
He said this year they were celebrating the festival differently by walking in Malindi town to let people know that coronavirus is real.
“We also want to let people know that there is a traditional cure which people can use to heal from the virus, the traditional process uses steam from hot water and herbs from trees that are medicinal,” he said.
Mr Mwarandu said the steaming must be done in the morning and evening and traditionally it was used to treat Kivuti which is similar to Covid-19.
He advised Kenyans to always wear masks, wash hands, keep social distance and use sanitisers whenever they go to their place of work.
The MADCA Secretary-General also said they have prayed for security in the country, peace, and good health.
Currently, he said there are killings of elderly people being killed on allegations of being witches and would be sensitizing people to stop the inhuman act.
“The climax of the festival for the first time in all those ceremonies our guests of honour shall be family members of Mekatilili Menza from her home and where she was married,” he said.
Mr Mwarandu called upon leaders to desist from utterances that could spur violence especially in the wake of campaigns for the oncoming general elections.
Another Kaya elder Kazungu Hawerisa said the festival was important as it reminds the world of the Mijikenda heroine Mekatilili Menza who led in the fight against British colonialists.
He however asked both the county and National government to ensure they honour the heroine by ensuring there is a statue at the gateway to Kilifi and at the capital city of Nairobi.
Mr Hawerisa said currently the statue of Mekatilili was small and made of wood but it’s supposed to be made of metal and huge.
“A good example is when you entre Machakos the Kamba put a statue of their freedom fighter in his honour and we expected Kilifi county government would do the same in honour of Mekatilili and place one big statute at the entry of Kilifi to show she is the first person to defend the country from the colonialists,” he said.
MADCA Founder, Stanley Kiraga urged the community to embrace the Mekatilili Menza festival because it is one way of preserving culture and ensure its continuity.
He said Kenyans must observe health protocol pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic because the virus is real and people must take care to avoid falling victims.
The chairman said he has lost several relatives and he even contacted the virus at one point adding that it’s time people should take responsibility as the disaster is deadly.
