About

Welcome

I'm JJ (John Juma), a research writer passionate about uncovering the forgotten, the overlooked, and the quietly fascinating stories that history left behind.

This blog is where curiosity meets storytelling. I dive deep into dusty corners of the past and unexpected pockets of culture, then retell what I find in ways that are vivid, thoughtful, and a little bit different.

What This Blog Is About

Moments & Musings isn't just about facts. It's about feeling the story, seeing it unfold, and wondering what else we might have missed.

This is a space for:

• Forgotten historical figures who shaped events but disappeared from mainstream narratives
• Kenyan history and culture told with nuance, context, and a critical eye
• African resistance stories that challenge colonial narratives
• Strange historical events that reveal deeper truths about human nature
• Medieval European history examined with fresh perspectives
• Long-form storytelling that respects both the past and the reader's intelligence

What You'll Find Here

My writing covers diverse ground, but several threads run through it all:

Kenyan & East African History

From Mekatilili wa Menza's resistance against British colonialism to contemporary reflections on Christmas in Kenya, I explore how the past shapes the present and why certain stories were deliberately buried or forgotten.

Colonial & Post-Colonial Analysis

I examine the uncomfortable inheritances of colonialism: Boxing Day celebrations Kenya still observes without naming, land injustice debates that began with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and continue with Gen Z protests today.

Biographical Deep Dives

Whether it's Jomo Kenyatta's contested legacy, Emperor Bokassa's descent into madness, or Vlad the Impaler separated from Dracula myth, I try to understand historical figures as complex humans rather than simple heroes or villains.

Unusual Historical Tales

Like the story of Jeanne Calment, who outlived the man betting on her death, or the proteomic analysis suggesting Vlad III may have cried tears mixed with blood. I'm drawn to stories that are both meticulously researched and genuinely strange.

My Approach to History

I believe every moment has a tale worth telling if you know where to look and how to bring it back to life. My approach is:

Research-driven.

I cite sources, acknowledge debates, and update articles when new evidence emerges (like the 2023 proteomic research on Vlad III or 2025 casualty reassessments).

Context-conscious.

History doesn't happen in a vacuum. I connect past events to present-day consequences, from 1966 land debates to 2025 political movements.

Honest about complexity.

I don't shy away from uncomfortable truths or unresolved questions. Jomo Kenyatta can be both liberator and oppressor. Colonial resistance can be both heroic and violent. Good history holds contradictions.

Story-first.

Facts matter, but so does the telling. I write history the way it was lived: with tension, emotion, and stakes that mattered to real people.

Why "Moments & Musings"?

Because history isn't just what happened. It's how we think about what happened.

The "moments" are the events themselves: the slap that started a revolt, the bet that outlived the bettor, the forest ambush that killed a prince. The "musings" are our reflections on them: what they meant then, what they mean now, and what we're still afraid to admit about both.

Who This Blog Is For

If you're tired of:

• History that reduces complex figures to simple heroes or villains
• African stories told only through colonial lenses
• Clickbait headlines masquerading as historical analysis
• Accounts that ignore how the past shapes the present

Then you might find something worthwhile here.

This blog is for readers who believe that:

• Good history requires both facts and feeling
• Small forgotten stories can illuminate larger truths
• Understanding the past is essential for navigating the present
• Complexity is a feature, not a bug

Content Standards

Every article on Moments & Musings includes:

• Publication and update dates so you know when information was current
• Estimated reading time because your time matters
• Topic tags for easy navigation
• Content warnings when necessary for sensitive topics like violence or abuse
• Evidence-based analysis where claims are sourced or clearly marked as interpretation

I update older posts when significant new research emerges, and I'm transparent about what we know, what we suspect, and what remains contested.

My Goal

My goal is simple: to make history (even the small, hidden pieces of it) feel alive again.

Whether it's a nearly-forgotten event, an unsung figure, or an odd twist in the human story, I believe there's value in recovering these moments and asking what they reveal about us, then and now.

Moments & Musings isn't about nostalgia or celebration. It's about reckoning. With what happened, who benefited, who paid, and what we inherited.

Get In Touch

Have a story suggestion? Found an error in one of my posts? Want to discuss a historical question or share additional context?

I'd love to hear from you. Visit the Contact page to get in touch.

A Final Note

History is a conversation, not a sermon. I write with conviction but remain open to correction. If you have expertise, family stories, or archival knowledge that adds context to anything I've written, please share it.

Thanks for being here. Let's rediscover the remarkable, one musing at a time.

— JJ (John Juma)
Research Writer & Storyteller
Moments & Musings