Self-introduction among Babukusu - I

Consider this, how do we introduce today? Our names, phone numbers, and social media pages, or even with organizations we work in. But let’s take a journey back in time… Did you know that introduction in the distant years that have gone by was very different from what it is in the present day? 

But first, self-introduction involves two things; khwitacha (declaring personal, family and clan ancestry) and Khukhwilaa (declaring the ebulobi or clan-cluster). Word of caution: Most of wordings are fast disappearing from the modern Bukusu language but will try to make meaning as possible.  

1.      Omutukwiika - Mbirira Machabe, Kutusi, Omusilikwa, Omurwa we Mbayi, Omunianiambi omusila matakho, wakenda ne chikhendu sikala.

Batukwiika were at one lead by Mbiriira from Bakwangwa branch of the clan. The clan prides on leadership skills - (lichabe- elder’s robe) and other royal dressing. In physical appearance, their ancestors had a slim backside and walked with pride and cheerfulness. Not only do they find pride in being a leadership clan but also traced their heritage to ways in Silikwa and Embayi where they came carrying chikhendu (raffia palms) which of course signify enormous wealth in cattle.

 

2.      Omuyemba - Namukhe, Netibo, Mukangu, Mulomi, Kutusi, Machabe, Simucho, Nakhayama, omulungambisi, enje babaka ne munju bakhelekha, Malaba, Munyole.

Omuyemba is a social person, very firm and unbendable. He eats in public and has unmatched desire in meat so much that as they slaughter a cow in the backyard, he is already preparing kumukhelekha salt ready for the meat. Mukangu and Mulomi are some of great Bayemba leaders that walked on the face of the earth. He is a leader wearing tools of authority - ekutusi and lichabe. Omuyemba has allegiance to Bamalaba Cluster whose paternal figure is the great Munyole.

3.      Omubuya- Wanamubuya, omukhufwe, nekalendala kacha ebutecho.

An ancient tale goes that an Omubuya from Bakhufwe clan-gate was so afraid that he did not know how he found himself among people of Batecho clan. Recently, although not captured in their introduction, babuya were considered ‘ekholo embi’ (bad clan). One time an omubuya man was accused of doing a bad deed and jokingly people attributed the behavior to all his clan members, which of course is untrue.

4.      Omuyaya - Omunyala, Nawanga, Walubia, Basakani, Mukuba, Nanyuli omubasi

Omuyaya is known to come from Bunyala land having carried bellows and anvils which signify his art of ironmongery. Also, though not mentioned, Bayaya are known to possess uncanny powers to influence the weather, thus rainmakers.

5.      Omumusomi - Omumusomi wemosya nembichi khu Namwenula

Bamusomi are considered a shy people. The story began when one day, a band of Bamusomi managed to kill a notorious witch that had been troubling them with an intent of burying him beside River Namwenula. On the way, however it was dawn and people became curious of what they carried. One of them mischievously replied that they were carrying embichi, a wild pig. He said this to cover for the shame and embarrassment. However, killing a witch was not a serious crime and that’s why they still feel proud to include it in their introduction. 

6.      Omulako - Nandako, Namukheya, lwachilo, mikuba, Naluwa, Mulunani owemanafwa, engokho yakhubira mulurwa. Owelukoko, owemabeba, omuwemaremure, libuba, omusiamboko, owanasosia

Omulako was an excellent blacksmith who made bellows. In his migration, he waded through bushy thorns of River Manafwa, which was full of deadly snakes. On the way from battle, a crow of a fowl betrayed his location to the enemy and they suffered great casualties (that is why swore never to eat chicken). He is a jealous person (full of libuba) and pay allegiance to Kikayi-Naluwa group of clans (those who passed through the Kikayi Hills in Bugishu and sojourned in Muluwa Hills, East of Uganda). They don’t put on kumukasa for leadership.

7.      Omubenge - Namenge, mutilasiloli, nawakho Kalekhwa, omunyanyuni, owaloba lirarandura

Omubenge catches was he sees thus very foregoing. He cannot burn the lirarandura shrub. Considering the legend of Wele wa Kasawa who disappeared for a week and came back with 2 black stones and 2 fruits of chindulandula thereby becoming omufumu, it could mean that lirarandura is associated with bufumu. 

8.      Omuafu - Baafu Bamwonja, Bamaliba, Bamukangu, Bamulomi, Neachi, Khwacha khulia khwaacha ne kimilimo, khwasila chibalayo Nabulungu

Baafu were once led by Mulomi and Mukangu are known clanal leaders. They are great eaters who equally work very hard. They do not eat the small Nabulungu peas. Even when it is not captured in the introduction, Baafu are well known for rain-making skills (khutikitia likulu) and were excellent in ironmongery.  

9.      Omuyundo - Nakoba, Naliali, omukabachi, omusila balayo,  owabukula emosoti wakula chinge

Omuyundo does not eat peas- chibalayo. He took a heifer and bought stinginess. Nakoba and Naliali are likely maternal icons of the clan with great significance at one time.

10.  Omubasaaba - Nasaaba, ngulani, khaambi, khayolo, balukoye, balusimba, balwiki, bamusafu mulala, basined be mitoto, wangwe wa musiru waamba omukeni wakona njala; basinde bekhuchuru ye komba niye omulayi akhaindila, soroberia.

Omumusaaba came along way meandering across valleys and mountain ranges. They were eight in number (musafu mulala). They are like leopards, they seized a girl and held her without food overnight in a bachelor’s hurt.  They are uncircumcised boys from the land of Kimitoto trees. They are tough survivors like ekhuchuru bird (the falcon) which flies to a land where no good person can survive. They pay allegiance to Munyole group of Clans (with Munyole as their paternal leader having been circumcised along with Muyobo and Mutoto during Mango’s circumcision renewal). They never intermarry with Bakula due to blood relations. Finally, they abstain from dining from Esunu bird (the Klipspringer).

More episodes on Bukusu clan introduction upcoming

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