The Trial of Dedan Kimathi Play Reading
Sun, Nov 23
|Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Experience a powerful reading of The Trial of Dedan Kimathi by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Micere Githae Mugo. Centered on the Mau Mau uprising, the play reclaims the story of a revolutionary leader and exposes the violence of colonial rule. A timeless tribute to resistance.
Time & Location
Nov 23, 2025, 7:00 PM – Nov 24, 2025, 9:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Guests
About The Event
The Trials of Dedan Kimathi is a compelling play that explores the struggles of Kenya during the pre-independence era, focusing on the life and challenges faced by Dedan Kimathi, a prominent freedom fighter. The narrative unfolds primarily within a courtroom setting, where Kimathi confronts a European judge while grappling with various influences and betrayals from peers and collaborators. The themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and colonial oppression are poignantly depicted, culminating in Kimathi's defiance against the forces working to suppress his quest for justice and freedom.
Dedan Kimathi, born on October 31, 1920, in Kanyinya, Kenya, was a prominent figure in the struggle against British colonial rule during the Mau Mau Uprising. As a member of the Agikuyu tribe, he became involved in nationalist movements, joining the Kenya African Union in 1946 and the Mau Mau shortly thereafter. Kimathi served as the secretary of the Mau Mau, emphasizing the importance o…