MAINA WA NALUKALE KAABA NANU?

EPISODE 1: MAINA THE GREATEST SEER OF ALL TIME

This is a tale of a great tribesman among the Babukusu of Luhyia nation. It is a tale of the greatest seer hailing from the Batukwiika Bakitang’a. In a quick recap, Batukwiika are classified in three ‘gates’ (Bilibwa); Bakwangwa, Basakha and Bakitang’a.

Just like almost every clan, Batukwiika their own approach to self-introduction. And it goes:

Omutukwiika Mbirira Machabe, Kutusi, omusilikwa, omurwa we Embayi, omunianiambi Omusila matakho, owakenda na chikhendu sikala. [Batukwiika were once led by Omukwangwa leader Mbirira; he is entitled to ekutusi (elders robe –signifying political power); he is well-built walking cheerfully; he came from Silikwa through Embayi carrying a long raffia palms symbolizing immense cattle wealth.]

Maina son of Nalukale hailed from silibwa of Bakitang'a. It is not clearly when Maina was born. Nalukale was the name of his father and his mother was Omumasaaba (Omugisu whose ancestor was Mukisu, brother to Mubukusu).

Back in time, Silikwa was hilly and rocky but a fertile place where the Babukusu enjoyed farming and cattle rearing. Nevertheless, their peace was short-lived when Bamia Bakhumama and Bamatola (Teso) among other adversaries made life difficult. Bearing it no more, they moved downwards to Esamoya. Finding Esamoya infested by tsetse flies and mosquitoes they moved as far as Solokho, Khunakhatandi, Bukhuulo and Nalukale. It is at Nalukale that Maina’s father died, hence the name.

Later on, Makutukutu and Sanjamolu would lead them to Esilangilile, Wangutusi then into Bukaya. At Bukaya, Babukusu had fully settled and built forts to reinforce defenses. They practiced circumcision and Maina underwent the knife as well.  Soon, the popularity of Main would grow overshadowing that of Sanjamolu the leader at the time. Sanjamolu, just as the name suggests had a big and oily nose.  Maina became widely respected far and wide and the community looked up at him.

At the time, new clans were formed further expanding the territory to as far as Manafwa, Bubuulo, Busiu, Bukobelo and Bukikayi. Maina then left Bukaya and brought the people to Sikulu sya Bukusu (Bukusu Hill near present-day Tororo).  Under Maina’s leadership, peace prevailed as he was a great diplomatic leader having practical wisdom. The community prospered and Maina was accorded lots of respect and honor even to neighboring Basawinja, Barwa Bakinisu, Bauchuchi and Bayobo.

As a more unique aspect, Maina wa Nalukale was also a gifted seer and diviner. He made startling revelations that came to pass. At the hour of need, he advised warriors on best strategies to take since he would have been shown enemy plans in his premonitions. He would fore-warn the community during incoming droughts and famine. At such a time, they could till enough to have surplus to trade in exchange with cattle.

Indeed, under Maina’s reign, there was a period of golden peace and the community flourished. Beer parties and dances became more frequent. Even daughters of the land were happily married off even for former adversaries. It was a rare glimpse of peace!

DISGRACE IN THE HOUSE OF MAINA

Soon things would turn westward in the very house of the seer. At the peak of his reign, Maina had two sons and several wives.  The elder son was Namunguba while the younger one went by the name Wakhulunya. In a surprising twist of events, Lo! Namunguba got entangled in a love affair with his father’s youngest and eighth wife. Maina got wind of the predicament through gossip at the beer party. It was said that the feted son had gone to Sanjamolu Omubuya for blessings. He was overwhelmingly shaken but maintained his cool. Shortly, he would conspire with a few elders to lay a trap.

Maina pretended that he was going to sleep in a different hut. He could not sleep at all and woke up at night. Together with a few elders they forcefully made way into the heart, only to find his son on top of his wife romping immersed in the deepest of romance. 

Traditionally when a man got in such a compromising position with another man’s wife, he was to remain quiet till morning until the elders came to perform a cleansing ceremony called ‘khulia silukhi.’ If he straggled, then the real husband would be at liberty to terminate him with no risk of ritual impurity. But then, how could Maina eat 'silukhi' with his own son? Namunguba and naughty step-mother-turned-lover would remain locked in the room till morning.

Before the first light, drums were beaten. Hastly people gathered in Maina abode. They came with mixed feelings some thinking that a war was impending. When everyone was seated, Maina wa Nalukale arose to speak:

Bakasa nebamenywa, Omwana wange wanjikelile mungubo yase. Siomumane luno luri ali munju omu ne omukhasi wase omutititi. Mukanakana muli enyala nakholakho sina? [Dear elders and tribesmen, my own son has dressed in my cloak. As I speak he is inside the house with my youngest wife. In your wisdom, what do you think I should do?]

To be continued in episode 2.....