Wangu wa Makeri

Wangũ wa Makeri (c. 1856–1915 or 1936 ) was a Kikuyu tribal chief, known as a headman, during the British Colonial period in Kenya. She was the only female Kikuyu headman during the period, who later resigned following a scandal in which she engaged in a Kibata dance; this was the ultimate transgression since kibata was never to be danced by women.

Early life Wangũ Wa Makeri was born around 1856 in Gìtie village to Gatuìka Macharia and Wakerū. She had no formal education, instead working on her parents’ farm as a labourer. It was there that she met her husband, Makeri wa Mbogo. She sent one of her sons to the local mission school in 1903.

Resignation Her relationship with Gakure continued throughout the period in which she was headman. At a meeting between 2 and 4 June 1909, she engaged in a Kibata dance during which her grass skirt fell off leaving her naked. This was an exclusively male warrior dance, and as a result of the scandal, she was forced to resign from office with Ikai wa Gathimba replacing her. One of her sons, Muchiri, would later become headman himself. Makeri died in 1915. Wangu's reign is quite similar to a time long in the past when women took over power and leadership from the men and ruled ruthlessly. This is due to the rampant alcoholism in men of the days. It took the efforts of an age-set called Ndemi na Mathathi to save the boy child from alcoholism. They proceeded to impregnate all the women at the same time. At their weakness due to pregnancy, the men retook leadership.