Abanyala ba Kakamega

Nobody from Abanyala has ever died of famine. No wonder they always said ' embako si ibeyanga ta ,' that is: 'a hoe never lies'. However, that does not mean they have lived in plenty all the years. Among the Abanyala, famine is defined in term of widespread scarcity of staple food; especially, ugali made from millet flour. Most of the boys born during such seasons were called Wanjala while the girls were called Nanjala. The following major seasons of famine are documented among the people. 1. Enjala Saba-lulala This was a minor one that swept across most families in Bunyala in 1997. It was characterised by people eating only one meal in a day. 2. Enjala ya Ekorokoro It affected Abanyala in 1980. It was at this time that the government imported yellow maize. It was marked by the introduction of the new method of measuring cereals using a two-kilogram tin called ekorokoro. It was caused by drought and economic instability in the region. The same phenomenon ...

Abakwangwachi is one of the clans among the Luhya subtribe of Abanyala ba Kakamega found in Kenya and Uganda. The Abakwangwachi speak Olunyala (K) as their first language with a few others speaking Olubukusu, Olutachoni and Oluwanga. 1. The first traceable ancestor of Abakwangwachi The first traceable ancestor of Abakwangwachi is called  Wire Wirecha.  Wire's father is strongly believed was from Bakwangwa and his mother was from Basikulu.  Wire Wirecha broke off from  Bakwangwa  clan when he differed with his clansmen over installation of family heir when his father died. The stakes were high on family leadership since the heir was poised to became one of the clan leaders of Bakwangwa. By the time of his father's death, Wire Wirecha had not yet married despite being old enough to do so. Therefore, his younger brother, who had married earlier, was given the leadership mantle. In protest, Wire threatened to commit suicide. He took off armed with a rope in re...

Among the Abanyala of Kakamega, there lives a story of two unsung heroes: Miriri wa Nambengere and Miriri Omusiondo. The two are from the clan of Abasiondo who pride themselves in the praise phrase Omusiondo Namaliro owa-mumbo  translated as the Abasiondo of the couragious cry who lead others from Mumbo. 1. Omwami Miriri wa Nambengere. This was a leader, omwsmi wa efumo, of Abanyala. Miriri wa Nambengere took over power from Kiminyi Munyala wa Namakangala. He helped Abanyala to unite with Abaongo. Unfortunately, when his brother, Nachicha, was killed in a battle, he went against the rule that omwami should never go to the battlefield by stepping down as a leader in fevour of going to a revenge mission together with other worriors. He died in the war.  When Miriri wa Nambengere died, Munyala okhwa Mukhamba lead a revolution that split the unity of Abanyala ba Kakamega and Abanyala Baongo.  That is why Abanyala of Kakamega are at times refered to as Abanyala ba Mukhamba....

Abanyala ba Kakamega have songs and dances during most of their cultural activities. The singing and dancing comprise of key elements: the dancing arena (omuse), authentic songs melodies ( emienya ), the singers ( ab'embi ), the authentic dance styles ( oukhino ), the authentic costumes and decor ( emiefwalo ) and authentic instrumentation ( amakhana ). Abanyala dances are usually fast paced dances. Their main indigenous dance is called chilumbe. A] SONGS AND DANCE IN CULTURAL SETTING Most cultural activities have an accompanying song. Abanyala sing during any of the following situations: a) During the following ceremonial rites, songs and dance were performed:  Funeral (emienya kya esibera) sang during and, after funeral occassions. Marriage (emienya kya emitialo) sang before, during and imediately after a marriage ceremony. Child naming (emienya kya okhukulikha),  After-baby-birth celebrations (emienya kya okhutucha) Circumcision (emienya kya okhuminya) sang before, durin...