The term "Mau Maus" refers to a group of anti-colonial fighters in Kenya during the 1950s. They were primarily composed of the Kikuyu people and opposed British colonial rule, seeking land and freedom. The movement became known for its guerrilla warfare tactics and was a response to the oppressive policies of the colonial government. The Mau Mau uprising led to a violent conflict, known as the Mau Mau Uprising, which lasted from 1952 to 1960. The British government eventually suppressed the movement, but it played a significant role in the eventual independence of Kenya in 1963. The legacy of the Mau Mau remains a complex and important part of Kenyan history.