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IFRA Seminar – Frames of Difference: Race, Space, and Colonial Order at Mathari Mental Hospital (1925–1930) by Naïma Maggetti

On 13th January 2026, Naima Maggetti presented her paper titled ‘Frames of Difference: Race, Space and Colonial Order at Mathari Mental Hospital (1925-1930)’.

She explored how racial hierarchy was embedded in the architecture, routine, therapy and representation at Mathari Mental Hospital, and how the hospital functioned as a microcosm of colonial society : a space where racial, gendered, and social distinctions were not only enforced administratively, but also lived, naturalised, and visually reproduced on a daily basis.

A big thank you to Eliud Biegon from Kenyatta University for being the discussant during this event, as well as to all attendees.


OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
IFRA Nairobi (January 8, 2026). IFRA Seminar – Frames of Difference: Race, Space, and Colonial Order at Mathari Mental Hospital (1925–1930) by Naïma Maggetti. IFRA Nairobi. Retrieved January 19, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/15gyf


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