ENJU YA MULEMBE

POWER SHIFT IN BUKUSU LEADERSHIP Before analyzing the rise of Sudi, it is important to mention his arch-rival and supposedly-community leader Wandabwa, son of Namunyulubunda. But to understand Wandabwa well, we have to time-travel back as far as 900 A.D (The Year of Our Lord). As far as memories can grasp, Walumoli the son of Sioka (Omubuya) was the pioneer community leader. Walumoli together with his son Wabutubile takes the community from the plains of Silikwa to Ekukumayi through Sengeli, Namanajalala, and Namarare. His leadership is succeeded by Sioka a prominent Omulako. Later leadership drops among the Bakhurarwa taken by Matukutuku who was a great ancestor of Mango, circumcision reformist. When Matukutuku dies at Esilangilile, power returns to the house of Omubuya as Sanjamolu leads the community up until Bukaya. Batukwiika Bakitang’a then succeeds the community leadership as Maina (II) son of Nalukale, the famed leader arises to power. After decades in rein, he passes Ekutusi a

Today we sojourn to the land of Ebukhone... Omukhone – Omwalie Omusilambongo,Owambukha Njoya Khumufunje wakwa engelekha khuluusi [Omukhone express allegiance to Bamwalie, does not dine on antelope meat, he came to current Bukusuland by making a rope bridge....and landed to the other side on a thread]. We visit the homestead of Otunga, a successful Omukhone with vast crops and unnumbered livestock. There is an emotionally disturbed barren wife. It is on a cold rainy when the barren wife of Otunga heads to junk heap to throw ashes. She notices a shivering boy, naked and destitute. Pity engulfs her and she quickly relays the news to Otunga who joyfully agrees to adopt the son as his own. The pity looking was Ekobi, son of Lusaala (Omutura). Running away from hunger, he lands in Wakoko’s territory in Otunga’s lukoba. Dearly loved, Ekobi grows to be quick and agile. He was a superb herder, helping in the fields and chasing birds that might destroy crops. He lightens up lukoba, more especial

WHO WAS MUNDU? On page 4 of the East African Red Book (1925),sits a column by William Schoff, a Greek writer (also author of Periplus of Erythraean Red Sea). In his sojourn to the southern parts of Egypt, in 60AD, he writes about ‘The Market Town of Mundus’. Prof Bethwel Ogot (History of Southern Luo Vol 1, 1967) and P.W Makila (An Outline of Babukusu of Western Kenya, 1976) strongly suggest, the market was one of earliest gathering of descendants of Mundu. Mundu was the great ancestor of Babukusu, from whom there have arisen more than 200 clans and sub-clans in the Bukusu sub-nation. Contrary to popular belief, Mundu was not directly created by God and put in earth like the Biblical Adam. Such a claim is grossly erroneous, misleading and wrongly founded. While little is known about Mundu, it is evident that he spoke a Bantu language and together with his wives, sons and daughters, lived among other non-Bantu communities. It means that Mundu was not the first person on eart

Inja Mulole! Inja Mulole! Inja Mulole! Nakholo nasena kameno kewe Mukibachenje, Icha Mulole! [Come and see how the wag-tail bird brushes its teeth in Kibachenje River] It is after seven years after the death of Wamalwa Kijana, an Omuengele and Bukusu enigma that a renowned Bukusu singer, Isaac Kisache wa Mwasame, in 2011 produces one of his hit songs, ‘Icha Mulole’ (https://www.youtube.com/watchv=WvATOYfdEhY ). Part of the lyrics goes: Icha mulole Wamalwa nasena kameno kewe TransNzioa,  Icha mulole!  [Come and see Wamalwa as he brushes teeth in TransNzioa]. Little is known that he derived the lyrics from an old Bukusu war-song where the Babukusu went into war with the Bamia (Iteso) not only beating them at their own tactics but driving them as far as Etororo in the Buganda Kingdom. As the sowing season of 1830 approached, the household of Wekuke witnessed a cry of a newborn born. It was a maiden cry that signified new joy! Out of the womb of an Omulwonja woman, came Mukisu,

Exciting tale of a man that could blind the eyes of enemy raiders, entertain two audiences at the same time, heal the sick through drum beats, tap termites from bare rock and sit on sharp end of his spear! A story is told of an Omutukwiika Omukwanga child born in 1810 and circumcised in 1832 under the Bakananachi age-set. Wachiye’s father was called Lwasaka and Naumbwa was the name of his mother. Wachiye grows up displaying a unique art and powers of prophecy and mind-blowing tricks that earned him great fame. In a brief reflection of his background, Batukwiika Bakwaangwa were fourth generation (siimila)) descendants of Mbiriira a key Bukusu leader in the 1700s. The other clusters are Batukwiika Basakha and Batukwiika Bakitang’a). Like Bayemba, Bayitu and Bachemayi, Batukwiika are empowered to give public lectures (Khuswala Kumuse). And just like Bakolati, Baala, Bamutilu and Baengele, the Batukwiika traditionally formed the ruling class wearing Ekutusi (Elder’s Robe). The