Omutolometi: A Masai Elder who found favor in Bukusu-land

This is a fascinating story of how the Bakimweyi clan of Bukusu sub-nation got split into its fourfold; Bakimweyi Bamukhwana, Bakimweyi Banabuyoka, Bakimweyi Banesoba, and Bakimweyi Batolometi.

 

Once upon a time, during their migration, the Babukusu and Masai would coexist with each other. In a place only remembered today faintly as Enakuti or Nabiratuku, perhaps in the present day N.E Uganda, there was a village occupied by Bukusu clans-people. There lived a man called Mukhwana (meaning the second twin) who was the son of Sengeli and grandson of Kubia, Omukimweyi. Mukhwana was blessed with a wealthy life, having many cattle and a very large family. 

One sunny afternoon, while resting under a tree, he was approached by a man- a stranger who was quite elderly. He welcomed him to sit beside him and the stranger went on that he was a fugitive in his land and needed a place for shelter, to live with peace. Being kind of heart, Babukusu siyanja barende (A people who loves welcoming strangers), Mukhwana would respond well to the stranger’s wishes. He acknowledged that their meeting was of a coincidence since he was in search of a male servant to handle chores within the homestead. 

With great kindness, despite his advanced age, the elderly stranger took up the tasks; khukhwaya chikhafu (tending to cattle), khung’ilila litaala (cleaning cowshed) and khukhalanga kamalwa (frying beer) among others. Tolometi, his name was. He responded well to his duties, pleading to the host that his former life in Uasin Gishu was full of persecution. 

 

On a certain evening, one of the wives of Mukhwana noticed something peculiar about this stranger. On his hands, he wore both enjabasi and lichabe (ivory armband)! These were the very things that Mukhwana wore, symbolizing a higher social status. The wife confided in her husband that perhaps, the stranger tasked with doing lowly jobs in the homestead could actually be an elder. After all, anyone wearing enjabasi, ekhorere, epokoto, lichabe and ekutusi was regarded as omukasa. Mukhwana took time to investigate the true identity of their new servant. It was not before long that he encountered the same truth. ‘Tolometi has come to wipe out my wealth, I surely will be cursed for mistreating a fellow elder,’ he thought. Meanwhile, Tolometi went on working with passion, hiding his identity. 

Mukhwana would order his wife to make some beer so that he would talk to Tolometi over this issue. The time came and when they conversed, Mukhwana confronted his fears. He deeply apologized for treating badly his fellow omukasa and this could attract a curse on his homestead. Tolometi argued his host not to worry and decided to tell him the whole truth. Back in his homeland, there was great instability and he had forerun to Bukusu land to seek a new life. He begged the host that he returns to his lands and comes back with his wives, children and cattle wealth. Mukhwana readily accepted him that he comes to be his neighbor. Even so, despite having a large family, Mukhwana had lost many of his close relatives to inter-tribal warfare and he was ready to welcome Tolometi as the only brother.

Tolometi, hopeful and rejuvenated set off the journey. He would return in a week’s time and young men would go forehand to welcome him. However, before he left, he asked Mukhwana to help set up litaala (cow-shed) and it was done. 

On the day of return, Tolometi was welcomed with great celebration. A feast was prepared and it was a tjoyous reunion. Reportedly, the constructed shed, though larger than his host’s, it was filled with cattle until others had to be put in Mukhwana’s. A ceremony to formalize their bonds was undertaken and children were told that they were now first cousins. Many cattle were celebrated and people dined on meat, guard milk and traditional beer for days. 

But one day, a son of Mukhwana would disregard the brotherhood ties of the two family heads and was romantically involved with one of Tolometi’s daughters. Soon, she was visibly pregnant and the fear of facing severe retribution forced the son to elope with her. It was a moment of tensions and strife in which the disagreements between the two families increased; children against children, wives against wives. Mukhwana saw it wise to call his brother for a chat to address the great animosity that threatened peace and co-existence. 

‘My brother, it is clear that our wealth has increased and are our families multiplied. Even amidst our misunderstandings, I still cherish our bonds. Out of this love, I besiege you to move to a far distance so that we reduce the animosity between our families,’ Mukhwana argued his Tolometi. The latter accepted the plea and moved to a far off village. He set up homes and their peace was regained over time. 

 

As decades past, Bakimweyi clan under Mukhwana was split. The mother of the boy who escaped with the daughter was called Omunesoba and would consequently found the Bakimweyi Banesoba sub-clan that expanded over time. Another house of Mukhwana had noisy children whom he jokingly referred to as Banabuyoka (the noisy ones) who founded the Bakimweyi Banabuyoka sub-clan.  The rest of the children remained with the Bakimweyi Bamukhwana sub-clan while those in the house of Tolometi began the Bakimweyi Batolometi.

A story is good, until another is told

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Credits: PM Makila