ABANYALA BA KAKAMEGA: Chronology of Leadership and chieftainship.
Abanyala ba Kakamega were under leadership of various leaders from time immemorial. Most of the clans of Abanyala live side by side with Abasamia Bagwe of Uganda and common but stratified leadership. Each of the leaders was called omwami wa efumo.
It is worth noting that these leaders are wrongly refered to as fathers of the clans creating an impression that they are those who started the clans yet they were only leaders of clan clusters. For example, when Abanyala were ruled by Ndombi wa Namusia, they became known as Abanyala ba Ndombi. This has created a wrong impression that they all belonged to Ndombi's family tree. However, the truth is that Ndombi is not the forefather of the generation that exist as Abanyala ba Kakamega. He was only a leader of the various clans during his era.
ABANYALA LEADERSHIP IN CONTEXT.
The people called Abanyala did not live in isolation during their migration. It is narrated that they were together with other communities that subscribed to the Misri theory of origin.
The following are some of the traceble leaders of the various sub-groups of a larger group to which Abanyala formed part.
1. Omwami Munyala Mareba.
He was named Munyala meaning he who could manage difficult situations. He was a giant of a man with large eyes. He was a great seer and worrior. He ruled many clans under which the present day Abanyala ba Kakamega and some of those under the Abanyala in Busia among belonged. He ruled Abanyala and formed part of the other leadership to which the people belonged. He died when he lead a group of warriors to a war to fight with group of people who came from Nyala in South Sudan. After his death, Abanyala never allowed a leader to go to war.
2. Omwami Buongo wa Namuyemba
He was proposed to take over leadership after the death of Munyala. He quickly lead the group toward other clans that were under Masaba and Musamia. They stayed on the Eastern side of Mt. Elgon. He is believed to have ruled at a time a group of 'Luhyas' were at Mbayi- the place that later became known as Silikwa (fallen kingdom). At the fall of the Mbayi settlement, Buongo moved the people from the Eastern side of Mt. El Kony and followed the direction Kundu had taken. Kundu had moved with the group of Balasi into deep Uganda.
One of Buongo's great advisor was Munyala-I who also advised Kundu. Due to the advisory help, that lead to Kundu's group overthrowing clans on the Eastern side of Uganda, Buongo made him a leader over some of the clans that were under him. Buongo remained a ruler of another cluster of clans. Upon the death of Buongo, Munyala wa Namuyemba allowed the clans that were under Buongo to have their own new leader as he retained the leadership over clans assigned to him by the late Buongo.
3. Omwami Munyala-II wa Namuyemba.
He was from the Abaengele clan. Was uncled among the Abayemba together with Buongo. Therefore, Buongo left leadership to his maternal cousin. Munyala had omukasa of oluengera and omukasa of leadersip. Some clans from the cluster of Abamasaba such as Abayemba joined the leadership of their nephew (omwiwa) Munyala. Also, when Munyala married Namakangala from Abakangala clan, some of members of the Abakangala also joined Abanyala. At this time, there was minimal use of the names Aba-Muongo and AbaMunyala because the two groups were seen as one.
4. Omwami Kiminyi Munyala (Kimi' Munyala) wa Namakangala.
This was Munyala's son of Abaengele. He took over leadership upon the father's death. He greatly advocated for the reunion of those clans that were under Buongo and those that had been under his father.
5. Omwami Miriri wa Nambengere
He was took over power from Kiminyi Munyala. He was from the clan of Abasiondo but uncled among Abaengele. He helped Abanyala to unite with Abaongo. He stepped down as a leader in fevour of going to war himself. He died in the war.
6. Omwami Munyala III Okhwa Mukhamba
When Miriri wa Nambengere died, Munyala okhwa Mukhamba lead a revolution that split the Abanyala and Abanyala Baongo unity. Munyala okhwa Mukhamba was of the Abayemba clan who had joined Abanyala. He beat a drum uniting Abanyala and other tribes in Ebunambo before leading away the group that heeded his call. He lead Abanyala to break away from Ebunamumbo. From the group that had come together with him, some members of Abagwe and Abanyuli went away under a new found leadership. The place that his subjects stayed became known as Ebuyemba. Munyala handed over power to his son Mukhekhe Mukangu.
7. Omwami Munyala IV Mukhe(khe) Mukangu
This group lead by Munyala Mukhekhe Mukangu forms the genesis of the story of Abanyala ba Kakamega.
Munyala Mukhekhe Mukangu (Muhehe) was of the clan of Abayemba. That is why even to date, the ladies from Abasaya clan (who are Abayemba) of Kakamega still pride themselves as the Namukhe Mukangu- meaning the daughters from the family of Omwami Mukhe Mukangu. Namukhe was taken as the feminine form of Mukhe. Though Abayemba have been documented as of Bamasaba clan, they were once the ruling clan among the Abanyala.
Mukhe Mukangu was Omwami of this group of Abanyala from the late 1770s. He lead this group of Abanyala to settle in Mbaale- Uganda; which is now within the present day Busia Uganda. At this point, he welcomed another group of Abanyala in 1800 under a warrior called Miriri II Okhwa Musiondo.
Miriri II wa Musiondo was a young warrior who had moved from Mbaale to Ebunambo. He, together with other brave warriors, had been requested to go and help their brothers Abaongo to fight Abakhoone. Miriri is remembered for having killed a one eyed giant of Abakhoone warrior called Mufulula.
After the war, Miriri lead a group of clans who were running to safety away from Abakhoone. Abakhoone were planning to revenge against these clans for joining forces to fight them in the Nyala-Abakhoone war of 1800 AD. Some of the clans included more members from the clans of Abatecho from Budecho, Abatabani fron Davani, Abalanda from Budiera and Abasumba from Sumba Island. Though not an annointed and crowned Omwami, Miriri's efforts were heroic during Munyala Mukhe Mukangu's rule.
8. Omwami Mukhamba II wa Nabakholo
Upon the death of the Munyala Mukhe Mukangu in Tororo, he had annointed his son, Mukhamba wa Nabakholo to takes over leadership but amid wrangles from other Council Leaders Okundi wa Namulembo and Musamia wa Nawuyundo. Mukhamba's mother was Nabakholo from the Abakholo (Abaholo) clan. Surprisingly, the Abanyala Ba Mukhamba, remembered the mother to t h e father of tha clan and named their present motherland as Navakholo.
Due to the wrangles, there occurred a split. Some clans that had come with Miriri from Ebunambo ware joined by a few clans to split off to return to their brothers in Ebunambo. They were under the leadership of Okundi. They regreted that there were no fish in the new land: 'eno eng'eni si chiriyo khaba.' Another group under Okhwa Musamia moved a short distance towards the East and joined with then Abanyuli who had split from Abanyala and moved on earlier.
By this time, the group of clans under Mukhamba had moved and settled near Wuayii Hills. Their land was then refered to as Ebuyemba because their leader Mukhamba was from Abayemba clan. By this time, the Abanyala of Kakamega were then known as Abanyala Ba Mukhamba.
9. Omwami Nasookho wa Nalukuo
Towards Mukhamba's sunset days, Abanyala ba Kakamega agreed to Mukhamba's choice of his son Nasookho to rule them. After this, Mukhamba passed on at Ebuyemba. At this point, they had became neighbours to the land of Eburebe inhabited by their 'brothers' Abanyuli. The Abanyala started speaking a language similar to the language of Abanyuli of Eburebe but reworked on affixes to make theirs unique. It is because of this that their brothers in Buongo and Burambo started referring to them as Abanyala Abarebe- meaning those who speak Olunyala language similar to Olurebe. Olurebe or olulebe was a language that could not be pinned down as olukhayo, olusamia, olutura, olunyoli or olukhayo. Having no name, it was refered to as olulebe- the language of 'those who speak it'.
Nasookho wa Nalukuo (Miriri) lead Abanyala at a time of a severe draught calamity. It was also a time when Abanyala were claiming that the Bugwe they had settled in was not the land promised by their forefathers as Ebukwe-Ekhande. Some said the true Bukwe-Khande land is where Okundi had gone (Busia-Kenya). Others said Ebukwe-Ekhande land was in the far East. Masiribayi and the Simbuchis, having emigrated from East, told Abanyala of what lay in far East.
10. Omwami Masiribayi
After Nasookho, there came a Maasai warrior called Masiribayi who took over power. The people decided that it was Masiribayi to lead them when he saved them by performing a rain ritual that made it to rain after a long dry spell. He quickly lead the people out of Tororo towards the direction of Busia- Kenya. The move was occassioned by strange outbreak of tsetseflies (amauko) and disagreements between those supporting Nasookho and Masiribayi. On the night of power change it is naratted that a big star called Lumuli was sighed and Abanyala interpreted it as the gods being happy with the change over.
Thought it was a peaceful coup, some members of the clans of Abayemba who believed that Masiribayi had taken over power from them unprocedurally refused to join him toward Busia.They claimed Masiribayi had staged a peaceful coup. Some other clans also protested in solidarity with Abayemba and split off (esiatikho) to join Bukusus while others just remained in Uganda Bugwe. These tribes included: Abaliango, Abakisembe (Abayemba clan currently in Kimilili), some Abamuyemba, Abayaya, some Abatecho, some Abaengele, Ababuya, Abaemba (abayemba), Abamuki, Abalunda, Abamwaya, some Abakangala, Abatasama, Abakhalenge, some Abalindo, Abakembe, Abakwangwachi from Mukhokoche Mulaa's leneage and some Abasuhu.
Some clans remained in Uganda under Abagwe.
Other Abanyala moved on with Masiribayi as a leader. Surprisingly, the family of Masiribayi's brothers also feared for their safety in moving on with Masiribayi as a leader among foreigners and joined Bukusus. Are they the ones called Basibayi from Basiribayi?
Upon reaching Busia- Kenya, Abanyala under Masiribayi found a thick forest and settled. At this point, they were attacked by Tesos making them to escaped down to Entumba near L. Victoria (Lake of Namulolwe also called Yalulwe) At Entumba, they feared that any attack could lead to their death since they bodered the lake Victoria that could make their escape difficult. They turned East and moved on. They camped between Ewutura and Mungachi. Here, Masiribayi decided to hand power over to his first born son Maero.
11. Omwami Mayero
During Maero's era, there arose the need to emigrate. Tesos kept on attacking them. By this time, the Abanyalas were known as Abanyala Ba Mayero. The people still believed they had not arrived Bukwe-Ekhande land. Maero tried to convince them otherwise but they refused to heed him.
During this time, Abanyala got involved in a war with Abawanga. The war was sparked by the killing of Mayero's bull by the Abawanga when it had strayed into their territory to lick esirongo (salty-soil lick). The Abanyalas were supported by the Bukusu under leadership of Namunyulubunda. Mayero's, a nephew, a son to his sister also came in to help. Coincidentally, Mayero, the nephew had been made omwami among those who are now known as Abayero of Abagwe. It also took the intervention of Abamarama for the war to reach an end.
A man called Miriri sounded the drum and lead Abanyala off against Maero's advise. The Abanyala handed over power to Ngao
A man from the Abaholo clan called Khang'ati is the one who planted a banana, during an oath, that indicated the direction of migration. He gave medicinal herbs to a quail that directed the Abanyala in their movement.
12. Omwami Ngao
Maero did not hand over power to Ngao. The people just decided to stage a peaceful coup and hand over power to his son Ngao at Ewutura (between Mirere and Mungachi). After the start of emigration journey, Maero passed on and his body was taken back to the forest for burial next to his parents' graves where he swore he was to be burried. During moaning period, the Tesos attacked again. Abanyala fought them on tree from the forest. Due to their stlyle of fighting on top of trees like monkeys and eating fruits. At time of attack, they shouted, "Khuchie Mulukaka eraa, Mulukaka eraa" for, "let us fight from the forest, from the forest there!" Due to this, they earned a nickname Abanyala Abakakilelwa. This was derogative term that meant 'a people who fought on tree like monkeys.'
It is also during his rule that more than 300 of the Tachoni warriors gave Abanyala a surprise attack at first cock crow. It turned out that they were all iniciates who, in excitement of being inciated into adulthood, had descended on the Abanyala homes to loot, raid cattle and take young girls by force. They were fought and defeated albeit with some casualties among Abanyala warriors. It took the Tachon leader, Letia Voi, to plea to Ngao for peace for the two day's war to end. He said that the 310 Tachon initiates had done it without permission from their elders.
13. Omwami Kisauri
Ngao handed over leadership to his son Kisauri when they were now living in Emakokhwe. During his rule, there arise the need to to emigrate. It was Kisauri who delivered Abanyala to their present day land in Navakholo.
Upon settling, he mamed the place as the promised motherland of the Abanyala. Since the wife to Mukhamba was Nabakholo (from Abakholo clan), they theme the place Nabakholo. They them became known as Abanyala ba Nabakholo.
Kisauri had a hard time from the soldiers of Nabongo Mumia who kept on attacking. In one of the incidences, Abanyala made Mumias soldiers to miraculously sink in swampy holes. This prompted Mumia to bring in reinforcement of many foreign soldiers to fight Abanyala. This was a bloody war fought in Bunyala forest areas. The reinforcement lead to mass killing of Abanyala; the Abanyala surrendered.
14. Omwami Manyuru
After Kisauri, leadership passed on to Manyuru who ruled from 1900 to 1910. His mother was Namuma. His death coincided with sighting of the big star of Lumuli. (Comet)
15. Omwami Hamisi Tavasi Okwako Ndombi
After Manyuru, there came the famous Hamisi Okwako Tavasi Ndombi wa Namusia who ruled from 1911 to 1939. Ndombi was famous because of his many wives, his cruelity, his authoritative approach to leadership and his being in leadership during the colonial era. It was because of this fame that Abanyala ba Kakamega were were again documented by the colonial government as Abanyala ba Ndombi in Navakholo.
16. Omwami Andrea Wawire Ndombi
Later, Ndombi was bitten to death by a wild dog and was buried at Mukhweso near Nambacha Market. At this point, power passed on to his first born son Andrea Wawire Ndombi. He was a son to Namulanda. Andrea ruled starting in 1940. Andrea passed on and was buried in Chebuyusi.
17. Omwami Paul Udoto
From Andrea leadership passed on to Paulo Udoto who ruled from 1949 to 1955. He was a son to Urandu and Namulanda. The leadership of Paul Udoto, being from Abasia clan of Abanyala, was a break from the Abayirifuma leadership that had dominated the leadership scene. However, it is worth noting that Andrea's grandmother came from Abasia.
18. Omwami Justus Mukopi
After Udoto, power passed on to Justus Mukopi who ruled from 1955 to 1963. He was a son to Namang'ale from the Abang'ale clan of Kabras. He pioneered the bulilding of Navakholo town. Mukopi, was from the Ndombis.
19. Omwami Benjamin Wanjala
After Mukopi, there came Benjamin Wanjala from 1964-1969. Benjamin was from Abaengele clan son to Ibrahim Kaula and his mother was Namusonge from Abasonge clan. Benjamin was later promoted to become a District Officer under the era of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
20. Omwami Johnson Barasa Ongeti
Wanjala handed over power to Wanjala handed power to Johnstone Barasa Ongeti who ruled from 1970 to 1979. He was from Abasenya clan and his mother was Namukonga. Ongeti believed in the phrase, 'a leader never lie' when issues became difficult to decide.
21. Omwami Matayo Wawire Oyalo
After Ongeti, there came Matayo Wawire Oyalo Namwekhandi who ruled from 1980 to 1989. He was from the Abakoye clan. His mother was Nasiloli from the Abasiloli clan.
22. Omwami Fedinand Muterwa
After Oyalo, there came Ferdinand Muterwa who ruled from 1990 to 1994. He was from the Abatecho clan. His mother was Wibwo from the Abasitsetse sub-clan of Wanga.
From this point, Bunyala of Navakholo was sub-divided into East, Central and West bringing on board new leadership. These were Bakari Nandikove son to Makokha and Nambirifuma for East, Moses Wekulo Wachakana and West remained under Muterwa before being left under Chirikona Mundalo Wakhisi.
It is worth noting that these leaders are wrongly refered to as fathers of the clans creating an impression that they are those who started the clans yet they were only leaders of clan clusters. For example, when Abanyala were ruled by Ndombi wa Namusia, they became known as Abanyala ba Ndombi. This has created a wrong impression that they all belonged to Ndombi's family tree. However, the truth is that Ndombi is not the forefather of the generation that exist as Abanyala ba Kakamega. He was only a leader of the various clans during his era.
ABANYALA LEADERSHIP IN CONTEXT.
The people called Abanyala did not live in isolation during their migration. It is narrated that they were together with other communities that subscribed to the Misri theory of origin.
The following are some of the traceble leaders of the various sub-groups of a larger group to which Abanyala formed part.
- Omwami Samia the grandson of Aguru who lead clans of a people who became known as Abasamia. Samia was said to have been the general leader of the others.
- Omwami Munyala Mareba who ruled over a group of clans that called themselves Abanyala.
- Omwami Were Mukhayo who ruled over a group of clans that later became known as Abakhayo.
- Omwami Muhindira father to Omwa Munyole who lead a group of clans that became known as Abanyole
- Omwami Kiminyi Balasi Mukungu Munyala who lead a group that later became part of AbaKabras. Balasi moved into one of the Kingdoms in Uganda.
- Omwami Masaaba who lead a group of Abamasaba of the present day Bukusu under Mubukusu, Gisu under Mugisu and the Bamasaba.
- Omwami Mukuma- he lead the group of Abasoga. This group moved ahead of the others.
1. Omwami Munyala Mareba.
He was named Munyala meaning he who could manage difficult situations. He was a giant of a man with large eyes. He was a great seer and worrior. He ruled many clans under which the present day Abanyala ba Kakamega and some of those under the Abanyala in Busia among belonged. He ruled Abanyala and formed part of the other leadership to which the people belonged. He died when he lead a group of warriors to a war to fight with group of people who came from Nyala in South Sudan. After his death, Abanyala never allowed a leader to go to war.
2. Omwami Buongo wa Namuyemba
He was proposed to take over leadership after the death of Munyala. He quickly lead the group toward other clans that were under Masaba and Musamia. They stayed on the Eastern side of Mt. Elgon. He is believed to have ruled at a time a group of 'Luhyas' were at Mbayi- the place that later became known as Silikwa (fallen kingdom). At the fall of the Mbayi settlement, Buongo moved the people from the Eastern side of Mt. El Kony and followed the direction Kundu had taken. Kundu had moved with the group of Balasi into deep Uganda.
One of Buongo's great advisor was Munyala-I who also advised Kundu. Due to the advisory help, that lead to Kundu's group overthrowing clans on the Eastern side of Uganda, Buongo made him a leader over some of the clans that were under him. Buongo remained a ruler of another cluster of clans. Upon the death of Buongo, Munyala wa Namuyemba allowed the clans that were under Buongo to have their own new leader as he retained the leadership over clans assigned to him by the late Buongo.
3. Omwami Munyala-II wa Namuyemba.
He was from the Abaengele clan. Was uncled among the Abayemba together with Buongo. Therefore, Buongo left leadership to his maternal cousin. Munyala had omukasa of oluengera and omukasa of leadersip. Some clans from the cluster of Abamasaba such as Abayemba joined the leadership of their nephew (omwiwa) Munyala. Also, when Munyala married Namakangala from Abakangala clan, some of members of the Abakangala also joined Abanyala. At this time, there was minimal use of the names Aba-Muongo and AbaMunyala because the two groups were seen as one.
4. Omwami Kiminyi Munyala (Kimi' Munyala) wa Namakangala.
This was Munyala's son of Abaengele. He took over leadership upon the father's death. He greatly advocated for the reunion of those clans that were under Buongo and those that had been under his father.
5. Omwami Miriri wa Nambengere
He was took over power from Kiminyi Munyala. He was from the clan of Abasiondo but uncled among Abaengele. He helped Abanyala to unite with Abaongo. He stepped down as a leader in fevour of going to war himself. He died in the war.
6. Omwami Munyala III Okhwa Mukhamba
When Miriri wa Nambengere died, Munyala okhwa Mukhamba lead a revolution that split the Abanyala and Abanyala Baongo unity. Munyala okhwa Mukhamba was of the Abayemba clan who had joined Abanyala. He beat a drum uniting Abanyala and other tribes in Ebunambo before leading away the group that heeded his call. He lead Abanyala to break away from Ebunamumbo. From the group that had come together with him, some members of Abagwe and Abanyuli went away under a new found leadership. The place that his subjects stayed became known as Ebuyemba. Munyala handed over power to his son Mukhekhe Mukangu.
7. Omwami Munyala IV Mukhe(khe) Mukangu
This group lead by Munyala Mukhekhe Mukangu forms the genesis of the story of Abanyala ba Kakamega.
Munyala Mukhekhe Mukangu (Muhehe) was of the clan of Abayemba. That is why even to date, the ladies from Abasaya clan (who are Abayemba) of Kakamega still pride themselves as the Namukhe Mukangu- meaning the daughters from the family of Omwami Mukhe Mukangu. Namukhe was taken as the feminine form of Mukhe. Though Abayemba have been documented as of Bamasaba clan, they were once the ruling clan among the Abanyala.
Mukhe Mukangu was Omwami of this group of Abanyala from the late 1770s. He lead this group of Abanyala to settle in Mbaale- Uganda; which is now within the present day Busia Uganda. At this point, he welcomed another group of Abanyala in 1800 under a warrior called Miriri II Okhwa Musiondo.
Miriri II wa Musiondo was a young warrior who had moved from Mbaale to Ebunambo. He, together with other brave warriors, had been requested to go and help their brothers Abaongo to fight Abakhoone. Miriri is remembered for having killed a one eyed giant of Abakhoone warrior called Mufulula.
After the war, Miriri lead a group of clans who were running to safety away from Abakhoone. Abakhoone were planning to revenge against these clans for joining forces to fight them in the Nyala-Abakhoone war of 1800 AD. Some of the clans included more members from the clans of Abatecho from Budecho, Abatabani fron Davani, Abalanda from Budiera and Abasumba from Sumba Island. Though not an annointed and crowned Omwami, Miriri's efforts were heroic during Munyala Mukhe Mukangu's rule.
8. Omwami Mukhamba II wa Nabakholo
Upon the death of the Munyala Mukhe Mukangu in Tororo, he had annointed his son, Mukhamba wa Nabakholo to takes over leadership but amid wrangles from other Council Leaders Okundi wa Namulembo and Musamia wa Nawuyundo. Mukhamba's mother was Nabakholo from the Abakholo (Abaholo) clan. Surprisingly, the Abanyala Ba Mukhamba, remembered the mother to t h e father of tha clan and named their present motherland as Navakholo.
Due to the wrangles, there occurred a split. Some clans that had come with Miriri from Ebunambo ware joined by a few clans to split off to return to their brothers in Ebunambo. They were under the leadership of Okundi. They regreted that there were no fish in the new land: 'eno eng'eni si chiriyo khaba.' Another group under Okhwa Musamia moved a short distance towards the East and joined with then Abanyuli who had split from Abanyala and moved on earlier.
By this time, the group of clans under Mukhamba had moved and settled near Wuayii Hills. Their land was then refered to as Ebuyemba because their leader Mukhamba was from Abayemba clan. By this time, the Abanyala of Kakamega were then known as Abanyala Ba Mukhamba.
9. Omwami Nasookho wa Nalukuo
Towards Mukhamba's sunset days, Abanyala ba Kakamega agreed to Mukhamba's choice of his son Nasookho to rule them. After this, Mukhamba passed on at Ebuyemba. At this point, they had became neighbours to the land of Eburebe inhabited by their 'brothers' Abanyuli. The Abanyala started speaking a language similar to the language of Abanyuli of Eburebe but reworked on affixes to make theirs unique. It is because of this that their brothers in Buongo and Burambo started referring to them as Abanyala Abarebe- meaning those who speak Olunyala language similar to Olurebe. Olurebe or olulebe was a language that could not be pinned down as olukhayo, olusamia, olutura, olunyoli or olukhayo. Having no name, it was refered to as olulebe- the language of 'those who speak it'.
Nasookho wa Nalukuo (Miriri) lead Abanyala at a time of a severe draught calamity. It was also a time when Abanyala were claiming that the Bugwe they had settled in was not the land promised by their forefathers as Ebukwe-Ekhande. Some said the true Bukwe-Khande land is where Okundi had gone (Busia-Kenya). Others said Ebukwe-Ekhande land was in the far East. Masiribayi and the Simbuchis, having emigrated from East, told Abanyala of what lay in far East.
10. Omwami Masiribayi
After Nasookho, there came a Maasai warrior called Masiribayi who took over power. The people decided that it was Masiribayi to lead them when he saved them by performing a rain ritual that made it to rain after a long dry spell. He quickly lead the people out of Tororo towards the direction of Busia- Kenya. The move was occassioned by strange outbreak of tsetseflies (amauko) and disagreements between those supporting Nasookho and Masiribayi. On the night of power change it is naratted that a big star called Lumuli was sighed and Abanyala interpreted it as the gods being happy with the change over.
Thought it was a peaceful coup, some members of the clans of Abayemba who believed that Masiribayi had taken over power from them unprocedurally refused to join him toward Busia.They claimed Masiribayi had staged a peaceful coup. Some other clans also protested in solidarity with Abayemba and split off (esiatikho) to join Bukusus while others just remained in Uganda Bugwe. These tribes included: Abaliango, Abakisembe (Abayemba clan currently in Kimilili), some Abamuyemba, Abayaya, some Abatecho, some Abaengele, Ababuya, Abaemba (abayemba), Abamuki, Abalunda, Abamwaya, some Abakangala, Abatasama, Abakhalenge, some Abalindo, Abakembe, Abakwangwachi from Mukhokoche Mulaa's leneage and some Abasuhu.
Some clans remained in Uganda under Abagwe.
Other Abanyala moved on with Masiribayi as a leader. Surprisingly, the family of Masiribayi's brothers also feared for their safety in moving on with Masiribayi as a leader among foreigners and joined Bukusus. Are they the ones called Basibayi from Basiribayi?
Upon reaching Busia- Kenya, Abanyala under Masiribayi found a thick forest and settled. At this point, they were attacked by Tesos making them to escaped down to Entumba near L. Victoria (Lake of Namulolwe also called Yalulwe) At Entumba, they feared that any attack could lead to their death since they bodered the lake Victoria that could make their escape difficult. They turned East and moved on. They camped between Ewutura and Mungachi. Here, Masiribayi decided to hand power over to his first born son Maero.
11. Omwami Mayero
During Maero's era, there arose the need to emigrate. Tesos kept on attacking them. By this time, the Abanyalas were known as Abanyala Ba Mayero. The people still believed they had not arrived Bukwe-Ekhande land. Maero tried to convince them otherwise but they refused to heed him.
During this time, Abanyala got involved in a war with Abawanga. The war was sparked by the killing of Mayero's bull by the Abawanga when it had strayed into their territory to lick esirongo (salty-soil lick). The Abanyalas were supported by the Bukusu under leadership of Namunyulubunda. Mayero's, a nephew, a son to his sister also came in to help. Coincidentally, Mayero, the nephew had been made omwami among those who are now known as Abayero of Abagwe. It also took the intervention of Abamarama for the war to reach an end.
A man called Miriri sounded the drum and lead Abanyala off against Maero's advise. The Abanyala handed over power to Ngao
A man from the Abaholo clan called Khang'ati is the one who planted a banana, during an oath, that indicated the direction of migration. He gave medicinal herbs to a quail that directed the Abanyala in their movement.
12. Omwami Ngao
Maero did not hand over power to Ngao. The people just decided to stage a peaceful coup and hand over power to his son Ngao at Ewutura (between Mirere and Mungachi). After the start of emigration journey, Maero passed on and his body was taken back to the forest for burial next to his parents' graves where he swore he was to be burried. During moaning period, the Tesos attacked again. Abanyala fought them on tree from the forest. Due to their stlyle of fighting on top of trees like monkeys and eating fruits. At time of attack, they shouted, "Khuchie Mulukaka eraa, Mulukaka eraa" for, "let us fight from the forest, from the forest there!" Due to this, they earned a nickname Abanyala Abakakilelwa. This was derogative term that meant 'a people who fought on tree like monkeys.'
It is also during his rule that more than 300 of the Tachoni warriors gave Abanyala a surprise attack at first cock crow. It turned out that they were all iniciates who, in excitement of being inciated into adulthood, had descended on the Abanyala homes to loot, raid cattle and take young girls by force. They were fought and defeated albeit with some casualties among Abanyala warriors. It took the Tachon leader, Letia Voi, to plea to Ngao for peace for the two day's war to end. He said that the 310 Tachon initiates had done it without permission from their elders.
13. Omwami Kisauri
Ngao handed over leadership to his son Kisauri when they were now living in Emakokhwe. During his rule, there arise the need to to emigrate. It was Kisauri who delivered Abanyala to their present day land in Navakholo.
Upon settling, he mamed the place as the promised motherland of the Abanyala. Since the wife to Mukhamba was Nabakholo (from Abakholo clan), they theme the place Nabakholo. They them became known as Abanyala ba Nabakholo.
Kisauri had a hard time from the soldiers of Nabongo Mumia who kept on attacking. In one of the incidences, Abanyala made Mumias soldiers to miraculously sink in swampy holes. This prompted Mumia to bring in reinforcement of many foreign soldiers to fight Abanyala. This was a bloody war fought in Bunyala forest areas. The reinforcement lead to mass killing of Abanyala; the Abanyala surrendered.
14. Omwami Manyuru
After Kisauri, leadership passed on to Manyuru who ruled from 1900 to 1910. His mother was Namuma. His death coincided with sighting of the big star of Lumuli. (Comet)
15. Omwami Hamisi Tavasi Okwako Ndombi
After Manyuru, there came the famous Hamisi Okwako Tavasi Ndombi wa Namusia who ruled from 1911 to 1939. Ndombi was famous because of his many wives, his cruelity, his authoritative approach to leadership and his being in leadership during the colonial era. It was because of this fame that Abanyala ba Kakamega were were again documented by the colonial government as Abanyala ba Ndombi in Navakholo.
16. Omwami Andrea Wawire Ndombi
Later, Ndombi was bitten to death by a wild dog and was buried at Mukhweso near Nambacha Market. At this point, power passed on to his first born son Andrea Wawire Ndombi. He was a son to Namulanda. Andrea ruled starting in 1940. Andrea passed on and was buried in Chebuyusi.
17. Omwami Paul Udoto
From Andrea leadership passed on to Paulo Udoto who ruled from 1949 to 1955. He was a son to Urandu and Namulanda. The leadership of Paul Udoto, being from Abasia clan of Abanyala, was a break from the Abayirifuma leadership that had dominated the leadership scene. However, it is worth noting that Andrea's grandmother came from Abasia.
18. Omwami Justus Mukopi
After Udoto, power passed on to Justus Mukopi who ruled from 1955 to 1963. He was a son to Namang'ale from the Abang'ale clan of Kabras. He pioneered the bulilding of Navakholo town. Mukopi, was from the Ndombis.
19. Omwami Benjamin Wanjala
After Mukopi, there came Benjamin Wanjala from 1964-1969. Benjamin was from Abaengele clan son to Ibrahim Kaula and his mother was Namusonge from Abasonge clan. Benjamin was later promoted to become a District Officer under the era of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
20. Omwami Johnson Barasa Ongeti
Wanjala handed over power to Wanjala handed power to Johnstone Barasa Ongeti who ruled from 1970 to 1979. He was from Abasenya clan and his mother was Namukonga. Ongeti believed in the phrase, 'a leader never lie' when issues became difficult to decide.
21. Omwami Matayo Wawire Oyalo
After Ongeti, there came Matayo Wawire Oyalo Namwekhandi who ruled from 1980 to 1989. He was from the Abakoye clan. His mother was Nasiloli from the Abasiloli clan.
22. Omwami Fedinand Muterwa
After Oyalo, there came Ferdinand Muterwa who ruled from 1990 to 1994. He was from the Abatecho clan. His mother was Wibwo from the Abasitsetse sub-clan of Wanga.
From this point, Bunyala of Navakholo was sub-divided into East, Central and West bringing on board new leadership. These were Bakari Nandikove son to Makokha and Nambirifuma for East, Moses Wekulo Wachakana and West remained under Muterwa before being left under Chirikona Mundalo Wakhisi.
A well documented chronology of chieftainship. I have heard of a man among the Abayemba called Siriwa whom they claim to have prophesied the coming of the white man saying: valikho vecha; msacha nguo, mkhasi nguo, mwana nguo na vakenda mekhaye....Is he the same referred to as Khang'ati?
ReplyDeleteIs it true that the Abayundo clan exists among the Banyala ba Navakholo?
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