A Very British Way of Torture | Featured Documentaries

Between 1952 and 1960, Britain fought a vicious war in Kenya against the anticolonial Mau Mau movement. It was an exceptionally bloody conflict, with atrocities committed on both sides.

For decades, many of the worst abuses by British colonial forces were kept hidden.

Piecing together survivor testimonies and expert analysis from British and Kenyan historians, this film tells a complete and detailed story for the first time of how Britain was involved in systemic torture – including accounts of murders, rapes and forced castrations.

A Very British Way of Torture is a film by Ed McGown and produced by Rob Newman.

Document archive is courtesy of the UK National Archives.


#Britain #History #Documentary

@AljazeeraEnglish

[aljazeeraenglish]

Many thanks for watching. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

[gakii.muthuri]

My grandmother used to tell me how they(the women) would go to Mt Kenya forest and leave food at a certain place so that the maumau who was mostly their husbands and fathers would not starve.... I feel so emotional watching this coz it hits home. She passed on in December 2021 and May God keep resting her soul in peace🕊️

[michaelmwangi]

As someone from Mt Kenya where the rebellion began, I'm glad that my grandmother who was part of the struggle and all these freedom fighters got to outlive some of those who authorized these atrocities. We'll never forget. God bless Kenya🇰🇪

[ashton]

The immense courage of those who finally stood up and said "no" to the abuse and dehumanizing, is a powerful message to anyone anywhere suffering similar things. It is almost like the eleven martyrs opened the door in the heavenly realm for their entire nation to be freed. Thank you for bringing us this history of Kenya 🙏

[Mazillah]

As a South Sudanese who have read a lot about colonialism in books especially in Kenya I can sincerely confirm that the history is much shallow in books than how it it actually, This video need to be showed to every student doing history in school.Much much love Kenya.

[sultanthu]

This should be constantly played in all high schools in Kenya to make sure each generation understands and sees what 'colinialism' really meant. reading is one thing, seeing is another. Amazing work al Jazeera !

[rickjames]

I am 37 years old and remember reading and learning about the Mau Mau movement back in primary school in Lusaka. Thank you so much for this documentary. I had no idea how bad it was for our African brothers and sisters.

[thatgirlg]

Whenever you ask an elder wholived through this, "what happened?/was happening?" You always watch their faces and emotions change drastically. The memories haunt them decades later

[Outrageous_fault]

Gavaghan’s interview gave me chills. His body language shows he is lying. My grandfather was a mau mau oathist. He imprisoned in Manyani for over 7 years. His wives and children were also detained, beaten, property stolen and suffered. As a result my family is separated and divided. No one speaks about the generational trauma and effects that continues until today. There are lost generations. Our grandparents, our parents and ourselves. Broken families, alcoholism, psychological and emotional damage. I wish someone could make a documentary about this. I wish we could talk about this.

[vickomen]

The British had gulags, torture chambers, concentration camps and apartheid system. When you hear apartheid you think about SA but it was also very real in Kenya. I really hope more people and specifically Kenyans will be taught about these horrid times in their history. Also, I'm working collectively with a group of young Kenyans to document this. Happy Jamhuri Day Kenya.

[NdondoMicheal]

It flips the script as to whom is uncivilized. That was a strong line.

[omolaniayanshola]

I'm not even Kenyan but as an African this really hit home as though my country Nigeria where once British colonial country and I can't help but to cry for the tortured and suffering our four fathers had gone through for us to live i am so proud of thier resilience even though it cost many thier lifes may the deaths rest in eternity and May the spirit of our ancestors never leaf us god bless Africa

[human]

As an indian i can feel their pain.we support Kenya.😭

[grase]

My grandmother was so traumatized by her experience in the labor camps that she would break down at any instance of prompting memories of that dark period. I will never forget the sacrifice made by our forefathers for the sake of this country. I never thought it was this bad... not at all.

[riccardo]

This documentary should be shown in every school around the world, and particularly in the UK.

[kausalyabahadur]

Thank God for the freedom fighters. I'm a descendant of Indian indentured laborers from Guyana. I'm now learning my own history and will devote the rest of my life making sure that colonial atrocities all the the world do not get forgotten. How much heartache can one endure. We owe it to our ancestors to tell the story.

[Shaleqa_Adenan]

My beautiful neighbor! You are truly real Africa and we are proud to be next to you from Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[bevmunga]

As a Kenyan, I am Outraged! Disgusted! But blessed to be here as our forefathers fought hard for our freedom. God bless all the Mau Mau fighters.

[DavidOkikiAmayoJr.]

Al Jazeera's objectivity in reporting goes beyond 'truths, ' well into fact.
Fantastic docufilm.

[itoeasuh]

I studied the Mao Mao revolt and the British cruelty in so many parts of Africa saluting my Bantu family in Kenya from Cameroon 🇨🇲