Mango, Omukhurarwa walked these lands about 300 years ago and is much associated with Bukusu Circumcision. Irked by responses from Khwa Sikulu’s posting on this topic, lets separate truth from myth.
- Did Mango’s father kill the snake?
No. It was not his father Bwayo who killed the serpent, it was Mango himself who killed the notorious snake.
2) Did Mango start Bukusu circumcision?
No. Bukusu had practiced circumcision of their boys for many many years before. Calamities such as diseases and inter-tribal wars had made Bukusu “forget” the practice- meaning they did not circumcise consistently. Mango reformed/resurrected the practice by killing the serpent, bringing honor and courage to his people. From his heroic act, Babukusu and Bagisu started practicing circumcision faithfully.
3) Why did Mango kill Yabebe, the snake?
The snake feasted on livestock and even people started disappearing, including Nakhosi the son of Khakula, the seer. When it took Malaba, the son of Mango, he became enraged and swore to kill it. After intense and careful planning, he killed it by using embalu (sword), Lisaakha (long spear) and Wamachari (short spear).
4) Did a woman circumcise Mango?
No. Saying a woman circumcised him is misleading. Correct accounts confirm that Barwa (Kalenjin tribes) organized for Mango to be cut. It was done by a male professional circumciser from Babichu clan. After initiation, Mango was gifted with an Omurwa bride whom he married for his deed of heroism. He neither circumcised himself nor with his wife.
5) Did the circumciser use a stone?
No, it was a normal ‘lukembe’ knife. Both Babukusu and Barwa had mastered the art of iron-mongering many of years before. Mango’s age-set was known as Kolongolo (Khururwe We-Bwayi) named after the snake- ‘khururwe yabebe’. Some of his bakokis included Munyole, Mutoto and Muyobo.
6) How is sioyaye related to Mango?
‘Sioyaye’ is the chant sang when the candidate comes from the river for mudding (sitosi). The words used today are those which Mango’s own mother sang during his circumcision. They include; “Wangwa maalule” (The Leopard that scratches hard lies waiting to pounce on you), and “Omusinde oteremaka acha Ebunyolo” (the coward one seeks refugee in Luo-land).
7) Was the snake real? Did it fly?
Yes. The snake was real. Probably a huge and frightening anaconda/python that killed by strangulation. Oral accounts say it was a half-gliding, half-flying snake. While oral tradition can be exaggerated, even today, there is scientific evidence to prove certain snake species such as Chrysopelea can fly.
8) If Mango re-ignited circumcision in Bukusu, what about their cousins Bagisu?
After initiation, Mango visited his uncle in around Kikayi Hills in Buganda. As a hero, he inspired a new generation of initiates in Ebumasaba who took part in Sikhebo that he has resurrected.
9) When & where was Mango circumcised?
It is not clear the exact year when he was circumcised. Having been born in early 1700s, the circumcision may have taken place in his late twenties. The place was Mwiala lia Mango, North of Bwayi Hills in the present-day Amukura.
10) When did Mango live?
Mango, the son of Bwayo is believed to have spent the rest of his mortal life in Siritanyi, Bungoma.
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