Kisii "native parliament", c. 1900s
The council of elders in session — the indigenous government the colonials photographed and tried to use.
Colonial photographers labelled this gathering a "native parliament" — in fact the council (baraza) of senior elders through which Gusii communities deliberated disputes, raids, land and diplomacy. There was no king: authority sat with councils like this one.
The British administration later appointed "chiefs" over this council tradition — an imposed layer the elders never fully recognised. Photographs like this one are evidence of self-government in session.
Cultural context
Archival photograph held in the digital museum's visual record. See the image caption for source and licence.
