Umoja, Women and Patriachy

I am in Umoja. Not the Umoja that is near Nairobi, but Umoja near the Samburu Game Reserve. The village is made up of 48 women, of which 20 live outside the village as they are taking care of goats and cattle. Located just outside of Archers Post, a training area for the British Army, it is arid, with a amttering of palm and acacia trees.You come here either by plane, that takes you low across the country, or by vehicle - about six hours by road from Nairobi.
Umoja was created by a group of women, led by Rebecca Lolisoli, in 1995. It began as a response to being raped by members of the Army, and then cast aside by their husbands. They were told to leave their homes and take their children, and not return. The army rapes have stopped now, but fear of genital mutilation, other rape and early marriage is what brings these women here.. Others come here escaping female genital mutilation, and hold seminars every May to educate women that there is not need for this ritual that is painful and causes long term health issues. One young woman, whom I met yesterday was 9 years old when she came here as she ran away form her father who had promised her hand to a man of 60 years in exchange for 9 cattle and 2 sheep - the going dowry rate in this area.  She and the other women, whom I will interview over the coming days, have come here to re-story their expereinces and find strength in each other.

They spend much of the day beading under a covered structure that they have built themselves. So far, singing also seems to be a way of greeting people. There are few tourists right now as it is too hot.

Kenya is made up of many tribes and this has caused problems, causing problems as they dispute land ownership and have conflicting customary rituals.At this point, I am exploring the notion of tribe and how important is tribe to these women as it seems to be more important to men. The majority of women are taken into their husbands tribe when they marry and how do these women, who come from all over the area, handle tribal difference, or is there a difference here. This is a highly patriarchal society and there has been much resistance to these women purchasing land and creating their own village, yet these women have managed to do this and to gain the respect that keeps men away - except for those who are trusted, or teens who are embraced by the community, helping out and learn to show respect to women. However, in this village it appears at this point in my knowledge that they are all Samburu and speak Samburu rather than Swahili, the language of Kenyans. 

There is much to learn here!