The Mau Mau was a militant group that emerged in the 1950s in Kenya, primarily composed of the Kikuyu people. They fought against British colonial rule and sought to reclaim land that had been taken from them. The movement was marked by guerrilla warfare and acts of sabotage, leading to a violent conflict known as the Mau Mau Uprising. The British government responded with a harsh crackdown, including mass arrests and the establishment of detention camps. The uprising lasted from 1952 to 1960 and ultimately contributed to Kenya's path toward independence, which was achieved in 1963.