It
is December 25th and the Jewish King has been born. Tracing of Jesus’
lineage is clear; 14 generations from Abraham to David, others 14 from David to
capture of Babylon and other 14 from Babylon to birth of Christ [See St Mathews
1:17].
But
what do Bukusu anthropologists say about lineage of Bukusu. How did we know
Mundu left Esibakala in 885AD? Or we were chased out of fertile highlands of
Silikwa in dispersal wars of 950-1100 AD? Or that Mukite wa Nameme was brought
forth in 1790? Or that Mango faced the knife in 1800? How can we know that
Mutonyi wa Nabukelembe met his death in 1890 just as he predicted?
Welcome
to the Mathematics of Bukusu culture. Let’s calculate the years back into time,
perhaps you can get to know the family tree of your clan!
This
Bukusu chronological analysis has been motivated by Balovera Ongacho from Nabakholo,
Kakamega County who asked me for help in establishing family tree of
Abakwangwachi.
Credits: Work is based upon the works of Gunter, Were, Ogot
and Makila passionate researchers for Western Kenya communities in the past
century [See Ref list].
Basics of Bukusu lineage calculation
1. Bukusu is a pertanalistic society; linage follows
the males in the clan. Baseni be kumuse point to presence of 7 degrees of
descent that make up consanguineous relationship in Bukusu culture. From:
- A man (omundu)
- One’s child (omwana) to
- Omwichukhulu [grandson], to
- Sisoni [great grandson],
- Simiila [great-great grandson],
- Sisingukhu [great-great-great grandson], and
- Sisakha malalu [great-great-great-great grandson]
2. From Dr. Ogot’s approach, a generation averagely
lasts in the time a man is born to the birth of his first surviving child,
which is approximately 27 years. (although some use circumcision sets and age
groups as reference points).
It is therefore right to argue that all the 7
degrees will account for 7generations totaling to 189 years which is about 2
centuries. That is approx. 200 years.
3. But then sisakha
malalu is so weak in blood ties that often they are allowed to
intermarry. It is not possible for sisala malalu to give a clear account of the
life of Omundu (his first ancestor).
In fact
Bukusu anthropologists believe that in preserving oral tradition, it will take
the 200 years (7 generations) and another 200 years for serious historical gaps
to occur. It means that in a span of 400 years, a person begins to get mixed in
oral heritage.
For
example, little is remembered about Mundu (descendant of Mubukusu) but it is
generally known he had a family of his own and lived among other people.
Sioka, Malaba
and Mukhobe
Sioka,
Omulako, was a great Bukusu leader during the early migration days. After Walumoli died, Sioka assumed community
leadership from Kukumayi up to Esilangilile.
Malaba
and Mukhobe were two Bukusu ancestors known for good deeds. There were remembered
on for innumerable years. Out of their good deeds, they came to be enjoined in
Bukusu Holy Trinity, as subordinate gods to Khakaba himself; Wele Khakaba, Wele
Mukhobe and Wele Malaba (or Mung’oma).
So,
for Sioka’s relationship to fade with Mubukusu, it took around 200 years, for
Malaba’s memory to fade it took another 200 years and the same for Mukhobe. In
total, there are 6 centuries (about 600 years) between Mukhobe and Mubukusu.
Lineage of Bayemba Bakhayama
I
could use my Bayitu lineage, but I am unable to trace beyond four generations. As
I continue to dig up my ancestry, I find a ready example in the clan of
Bayemba. I will rely on the exhaustive work of University of Lesotho-schooled
Makila whose work was greatly shaped by counsel of reputable Bukusu elders like;
- The Late Pascal Nabwana of Kimilili,
- William Wanyonyi of Endebess,
- Nicodemus Nyaranga of Nasianda,
- Richard Sichangi of Ndalu and
- Peter Nasong’o of Kitale among others.
Bayemba
Genealogy reveals 10 generations between Mukhobe and Wakoli, Makila’s great
ancestor. Wakoli okhwa-Mukisu (already narrated under this blog) is the same
who put up a well-planned resistance against Sir Fredrick Jackson of British
Imperial Forces in what is popularly known as the Battle of Lumboka.
Wakoli
who recently died at a ripe age in 1912 had been circumcised in 1888. Counting backwards,
Wakoli should have been born about 300 years after Mukhobe and 900 years after
Mubukusu. Allowing one generation between Mubukusu and his eldest son Masaaba,
we have 27 years. And again, we give one generation between Masaaba and Mundu,
that is, another 27 years.
So,
if Wakoli was known to be born in 1866, Mubukusu must have appeared about 927
years earlier using 1866 as the year of reference. In the same way, Masaaba
lived 954 years back and Mundu 981 years.
Now
taking 1866 minus 981 years, gives A.D 885, the year that Mundu left his abode
at Esibakala settling at Esirende. In the same way, we can now know that
Masaaba, his son, settled in Embayi around A.D 912. In about 15 seasons later, disagreement
in the house of Masaaba led to Mubukusu migrating to Silikwa highlands as
Mukisu took a different direction. And the migration route was established till
then came to settle in Western Kenya.
And
that is how to calculate the Bukusu Lineage!
If
you can trace your lineage in the clan, you can go back in time and know
timelines of your great ancestors.
Lusimo: Ekitayi ya mukhosi [feasting is for one who
serve]
Feasting deserves the one
who labours. Enjoy to rest, after a year of hard work
Happy
Holidays from Dimples Blog!
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For more info:
·
Bethwell Ogot. History
of Southern Luo Vol 1 (Migration & Settlement 1500-1900AD). 1978
·
F.E Makila. An
Outline History of Babukusu of Western Kenya. 1976
·
Gideon S Were.
Western Kenya Historical Texts. EALB. 1976
·
Gideon S Were. A
History of Abaluyia of Western Kenya
·
Gunter Wagner.
The Bantu of North Kavirondo Vol 1. London: Oxford Univ Press .1949
·
Oral sources
Quite enlightening
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