Indigenous Roots of Environmentalism in Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed: A Memoir

This article examines the indigenous environmental consciousness present in Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed: A Memoir, with an emphasis on the integration of African ecological values and local knowledge systems in her environmental activism. Maathai’s environmentalism is deeply rooted in indigenous Kenyan traditions and cultural heritage, which she invokes to address contemporary environmental challenges. By drawing on concepts such as community land stewardship, the spiritual connection to the land, and traditional conservation practices, Maathai points to the way in which indigenous knowledge can offer sustainable solutions to modern ecological crises. The article argues that Unbowed serves not only as a personal narrative of resilience and activism, but also as a testimony to the vital role indigenous content plays in global environmental movements. In analysing the intersections between indigenous traditions and ecological activism, the article underscores the importance of recognizing and integrating local knowledge in global discourses on environmentalism and sustainability.