Bukusu Self-introduction-
Episode II
1.
Omutilu: Nekoye, Nabwami, bulicho, Nakhanwa, Nabwayi,
Nang’oma, Nakhabale, basinga bukhi, babatikitia likulu liamwenyamwenya
Bamutilu
came to the present Bukusu land by use of a rope across a large river. They are
a leadership clan and also with vast wealth in cattle and livestock. They play
a war drum, such as that which Mukite wa Nameme played to unite Bukusu land.
They are skilled rainmakers and belong to Basilikwa group of clans; that is
descendants of Silikwa, who was one of the sons of Mubukusu who led the people
in Esengeli during their early migration.
2.
Omuchemwile: Omukikayi, omusiandete,
omusiang’oma, omusyanyungu, silimbakha
Bachemwile
are naturally very captivating conversationalists (silimbakha), thus they talk
a lot. Their ancestors include Watambamala, Muchube and Situlungu who were
tough and rough men. They belong Bakikayi cluster, group of clans who sojourned
in Kikayi Hills during their migration.
3.
Baengele: Nambengele Nalukhamba, Nabulusya,
owaabina nebusiele. Tundwe, Nasiloma, Mwalie owecha na ekutusi.
Omuengele
is not only naughty and stubborn but also a good talker and a people-person. The
late Wamalwa Kijana is an example of an eloquent speaker from the clam.
Omuengele is also bold and can elude an enemy while it is dawn. He is a ruler
(leadership clan) who came with the elders’ robe -ekutusi. He pays allegiance
to Bamwalie cluster; those groups of clans who came by the Mwalie Hills.
4.
Banyangali: Basilikwa, Barwa Bayoboyi,
Khukhwakenda ne chikhendu mukanda, balicha ngwe.
Omunyangali
is a descendant of Silikwa having walked with other clans after the Silikwa
dispersal wars. Note; they fought Kalenjin adversaries (Bayoboyi). Due to close
association to Barwa, Banyangali adopted the practice of khulicha, a top secret
ritual whose symbol of the leopard. Due to khulicha (widely practiced within
Mwalie clans), it is highly likely that Banyangali have deep links to Bamwalie.
5.
Babichu: Namwalie, wanakhuchuru
They
have allegiance to Bamwalie cluster; those who lived around Mwalie hills and
adopted much of Barwa way of life. They are also elusive as the ekhuchuru bird-
the African francolin.
6.
Bakhwami: Nabukhwami, enda ye Wandinda, Kukali,
Kutusi, Namachanja, Machabe.
Bakhwami
are a leadership clan and their elders wear the royal insignia; ekutusi the robe and lichabe, the iron armband. Due to
maternal ties, they are related to Babuulo.
7.
Bakhoma: Nawanga, Nalubia, Nasakami; Omukhoma
salia engokho
They
belong to the group of clans that lived around Kikayi Hills and profess Nawanga
as their maternal ancestor. Due to some occurrences in the clan’s history, they
abstained from eating chicken, hence Bakhoma sabalia engokho.
8.
Babwoba: Omwanamusime
While
it is not captured in their introduction, Babwoba have special significance in
Bukusu circumcision. A story goes that one day, two old men from the clan were
sent to find a mudding place (sitosi/sitabicha/silongo) where initiates would be
applied mud just after circumcision. Upon reaching the riverside, the two men
found two things; a snake and a bird; which was regarded as good omen. Ever
since, circumcision candidates from Babwoba are the first ones to be mudded before
everyone else.
9.
Bamakhuli: Batachoni ngololi, maabo, bulicho
Omumakhuli
branched off from Batachoni clan-fold (Bayumbu). No meaningful translation can
be realized from the other words.
10. Bakobolo:
Bemukwena, bamatisi, wekoye, likhui, khukhwanaba ching’eni, khwanaba ne lulumbe
The
introduction strongly suggests that Omukobolo was a skilled fisherman whose
livelihood depended on fishing. He coexisted with chikwena (crocodiles), built
dams (kamatisi) and feasted on different types of fish. It is also hinted that
they were skilled medicine-men and women. Finally, they belong to Bamwalie
group of clans, those who came to present Bukusu land through Mwalie Hills.
11. Basituyi:
Basilikwa, Njoyobi, Namurwa, Simatwa, Kikayi, Banianiambi Basilimatakho, Bama
Embayi ne chikhendu sikanda
Omusituyi
was part the clans that came last after the dispersal wars of Silikwa. He pays allegiance
to Namurwa (mother of Mubukusu and Mukisu). Their ancestors had a slim backside
and walked with pride and cheerfulness. Out of Silikwa and Embayi, Basituyi
came carrying chikhendu (raffia palms) which is a symbol of enormous wealth in
cattle.
Stay
tuned for more episodes
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