Did you know that Babukusu
are organized into different clans, with those clans further organized within
clusters? Yes, they do. Traditionally, a cluster is a group of clans that
profess to a similarity such as having followed the same path during migration,
lived around a particular hill, evoke one of the four oaths (silaao) of
ancestry etc. If it were possible, a detailed account of each Ebololi could
fill dozens of books but this is the slimmest summary possible.
1)
Basilikwa
Cluster
They are the direct
descendants of Silikwa, who was one of the sons of Mubukusu who led the people
in Esengeli during their early migration. The cluster also includes other clans
who lived around and defended Silikwa highlands against the Kalenjin/Masa
invaders (Barwa) plus the allies/captives of Barwa that were adopted into the
Bukusu clan-fold. They make their oath to Namurwa (maternal ancestor), an
Omurwa woman who was the mother of Mukisu and Mubukusu. They are militant (war)
clans endowed with great wealth of animals whose heritage goes back to their
friction with Barwa in Silikwa and Embayi.
Basilikwa clans include;
Batukwiika (branched into Bakitang’a, Bakwangwa,
Basakha, Baluleti and Banambobi), Bakimweyi (Bamukhwana, Banabuyoka, Batolometi & Banesoba), Babuulo,
Babambo, Basefu, Bachemayi, Bakolati, Babiichachi, Batilu, Basimisi, Baliango,
Barwa and Bakiyabi (branched into Babikeyo,
Banelima & Balikiywa).
2)
Bamwalie
Cluster
Just like Silikwa Clans,
Bamwalie invokes their heritage and pride in the Namurwa oath (silaalo sya
Namurwa). They also came to present Bukusu lands from N. Easterly direction,
including Mwalie Hills. They lived closely with Barwa Basebeyi, Balaku and
Bakinisu in their migration path. This prolonged interaction with Barwa made
Bamwalie adopt strange customs of Khuliicha. Today, Bamwalie have become to be
known as Bayumbu (Tachoni), after Kitimule discovered they were actually long
lost Bukusu brothers and sisters. However, to this day, some Bayumbu clans have
denied allegiance to Bukusu sub-nation.
Clans under Bamwalie
comprises of; Barefu, Basonge, Babangachi, Bahabiya, Basang’alo, Bamakina,
Bawayila, Bamakhuli, Baengele, Basaniaka, Bakusi, Basamba, Basamo, Balukulu,
Bakobolo, Babichu, Bamalicha, Bamacharia, Bakamukong’I, Bayumbu, and
Banyangali.
*Part of Basonge were latest
to adopt khuliicha customs and came to be called Basonge Bamwalie while the
rest remained Basonge Befumbo (those who play Efumbo, the ceremonial drum).
3)
Bamalaba
Cluster
They are direct descendants
of Malaba son of Sioka. Remember Sioka was an Omulako clan leader who led
Babukusu during migration after the death of Walumoli in Ekukumayi. Interestingly,
Malaba has come to be associated with Bukusu Trinity (Wele Khakaba [Provider], Wele
Mukhobe [The Light] and Wele Malaba
[Protector]. Clans under Malaba cluster invoke oath of Munyole their paternal
leader (who was circumcised along with Muyobo and Mutoto after Mango Omukhurarwa
renewed the rite). Bamalaba clans thus find pride in among other customs, circumcision.
The clans here include;
Balwonja (branched into Banawanga,
Bakheyana, Bakutolo & Bamusabi), Bayemba (including Basaya [cheekbone
eaters] & Bakhami [milkers]), Bayundo, Baala, Bakuta, Basakali, Baliuli,
Babaasaba, Bakuunga, Bakhonjo and Babuuya (branched into Baholo, Basikulu, Bakabo, Bakhufwe & Bamwonja).
4)
Banabayi
Cluster
They derive their name from
Babaayi (herds-people) and are respected as babaayi be babandu. They are forerunners
who blessed animals and lands before other clans settled. Before a homestead
was set-up, Omunabayi would stuck a spear, take a lump of soil, look skywards
and offer a prayer to bless the land. They could prepare herbs and sprinkle
over grasslands and the community would realize great wealth of cattle. You can
consider them as good luck charm and they make excellent, wise leaders. They
put their allegiance to Munyole cluster.
Clans under Banabayi
include; Bayaya, Basombi, Balunda, Baumba, Basime, Baleyi, Basekese, Batecho,
Bakangala, Basichongoli, Bakoyi, Baliisa, Bamwaya and Bayiitu (The prophetic clan
of Mutonyi wa Bukelembe where this author comes from).
Perhaps, next time you make
a milestone (buy plot of land, four-wheeler or build a house), seek for an
Omunabayi for a special blessing.
5)
Baneala
Cluster
After the great dispersal
warfare by Barwa Bamasai which drove massive Bukusu Clans out of Silikwa (as
back as AD 800s), Baneala clans would come to settle at Neala Hills in the
current Bugishu District. From there, they could come down to Mwiala (in
Amukura). So, basically, they are clans that regrouped at Mwiala from Southern
direction and they invoke the oath of Munyole (just as seen in Bamalaba &
Banabayi).
They include among others;
Bachibino, Bameme, Bakisyayi, Bakolongolo, Bameme, Batakhwe, Bamunaa, Bakhurarwa
(tribe of Mango, the serpent slayer).
6)
Bakikayi
Cluster
After the fall of Silikwa,
Bakikayi are believed to be clans that regrouped in the Kikayi Hills in the
present day Bugishu District, East of Uganda. They derive their name for
staying for a long time around these hills alongside their kin Bamasaaba
(Masaaba being the father of Mukisu and younger brother Mubukusu but Bakisu
opted for the name Bamasaaba to express seniority).
Bakikayi would come to exist
in two; those who profess oath of Naluwa (having lived in Muluwa Hills) and
those who profess the Nawanga oath (Nawanga, Omuwanga woman is their maternal
ancestor).
Bakikayi (I) who associated
closely with Bamasaaba include; Bamuyonga, Balako (branched into Bakhandia, Bababweywe, Basiambo &
Bakelo), Baechalo, Bachemwile, Bakokho, Basimaolia, Batemulani, Basituyi,
Bamusomi (branched into Bamahe, Bayasere,
Bamasiukha, Batunguya, Basiuma, Bamabechu, & Batoboso), Bakhoma and
Bakisebe.
Bakikayi (II) who followed
the lower lake side interacting with Basamia, Bakhayo, Banyala and Bawanga and
finally landing in present Bukusu-land include; Basibacho, Bakhwami and
Bamukoya.
Knowing Your Roots is as
important as you are
**********************************************************
Credits: Profound gratitude
to Patrick Makila, a fine anthropologist by whom we come to know much of this
priceless knowledge.
