12 months of drought, an inciting Incident to the events in the Sundance film festival award winning film The Battle for Laikipia.
Part of Transhumance 360°, an immersive exhibition in celebration of patrolism in the Horn of Africa at Alliance Française, The Battle of Laikipia follows the conflict between white ranchers and pastrolists in a drought that goes on for another 12 months. Is coexistence possible between the two factions?
The battle for Laikipia takes a well layered approach to depict the stark difference in the lifestyles of the ranchers and pastrolists and how the drought has affected them in their own way. Contrary to the thousands of acres acquired by the ranchers, the pastrolists’ source of livelihood, cattle, depend on constant migration in order to stay afoot hence the fenced conservatives act only as feeding sites to them. This acts as a threat to the ranchers but a means of survival to the pastrolists. Tensions brew as ranchers begin gunning down cattle and to an extent, the herders, to the point of burning down manyattas as a warning.
It’s hard not to bring up the history that has led to this, as the white ranchers, descendants of settlers from the colonial period, know their lands as home with some having not stepped out of the country. The contrast in lifestyle is clear, but one cannot negate the cruelty brought upon the pastrolists who in their eyes serve as pests by the manner at which they refer to them and with no hesitance in bearing arms against them. Abiding by the rule of law and finding a nonviolent solution isn’t a first instinct, and well, once their livelihood is under threat, the pastrolists reply in kind.
One herder however, Simeon Letoole, who’s survival trajectory through the events in the film is covered, finds a legal way to sort it out, visiting the Lands Commission offices in search for respite. This is a nod to the fact that it may take time, but the clashes can surely be solved in a peaceful manner.
In a country where land is held sacred by native communities who in many occasions have endured legal battles with companies and the government itself, this film goes to show that we need to bridge the gap between us and land laws that will act as a shield to protect what makes Kenya not only a place to marvel at, but also the memories that it carries.
Directed by Peter Murimi and Daphne Matziaraki, The Battle for Laikipia captures not only the rising tension but also exposes the beauty of the landscapes of Laikipia through impeccable cinematography and editing by Sam Soko
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