21-Year-Old Texas Woman Joins 'Kingdom of Kubala' in Scotland, Group Claims 400-Year-Old Land Rights

A 21-year-old Texas woman, Kaura Taylor, previously reported missing, has been located living in a Scottish forest with the self-proclaimed leaders of a "lost African tribe" known as the Kingdom of Kubala. Taylor, who brought her one-year-old child, claims to be content with her new life, stating she is "happy living with her new King and Queen," according to a recent tweet by Collin Rugg. Her family, however, expresses deep concern over her decision.

The Kingdom of Kubala, led by King Atehene (Kofi Offeh), a former opera singer from Ghana, and Queen Nandi (Jean Gasho) from Zimbabwe, asserts itself as a lost Hebrew tribe. The group claims its aim is to reclaim land they believe was expropriated when Queen Elizabeth I expelled native black Jacobites from England in the 1590s. This historical narrative forms the core of their presence in Jedburgh, Scotland.

Taylor began communicating with King Atehene in 2023 and made the move in May, adopting the name Asnat within the group. While Taylor states, "To the UK authorities, obviously I am not missing. Leave me alone. I am an adult, not a helpless child," her aunt told the Independent that the situation is "very stressful, and difficult. It breaks our heart."

The group lives off-grid in tents, bathing in streams and adhering to what they describe as divine law, rejecting local regulations. They have faced eviction notices from Scottish authorities and reported incidents of arson targeting their camp. Despite these challenges, King Atehene has stated, "We are here to stay and establish our authority and power, just like our ancestors did."

Scottish authorities, including the Scottish Borders Council and Police Scotland, are monitoring the situation. They have offered advice and support services, including housing options, to the group. Locals reportedly have mixed feelings, with some expressing unease about the group's presence and their refusal of offered housing.