ABANYALA BA KAKAMEGA
The Clan of Abakwangwachi
Abakwangwachi is one of the clans among the Luhya subtribe of Abanyala ba Mukhamba found in Kakamega. Traces of the same clan is also found in Uganda. The story of the History of the clan of Abakwangwachi is hereunder.
1. The first ancestor of Abakwangwachi
The first traceble ancestor of Abakwangwachi was called Wiire Wirecha (Wafula.) Wire's father was from Bakwangwa and his mother was from Basikulu clan that was part of the cluster of Ababuya. Wire broke off from Bakwangwa clan when he differed with his clansmen over installation of family heir when his father died. The stakes were high on family leadership since the heir was poised to became the clan leader of Bakwangwa.
By the time of his father's death, Wire had not yet married despite being old enough to do so. Therefore, his younger brother, who had married earlier than him, was given the leadership mantle. In protest, Wire threatened to commit suicide. He took off armed with a suicidal rope and went to the river where he got lost. A search that was mounted by Abakwangwa elders neither found him alive nor his body. He was assumed dead. The Bakwangwa elders organised for his funeral, buried a banana and performed other associated rituals.
However, Wire did not kill himself. He went into the river crossed over and wondered off to an island or Sigulu. He lived alone on the island. He could come off the island and move into the forest nearby. After some time, he started clearing the forest for settlement. One day, when Wanimo was burning plants that he had cut, the fire became uncontrollable and strayed into the forest. Suddenly, a buffalo run past him. This was followed by the sighting of a mature lady who stopped by to talk to Wanimo. The lady introduced herself as Naweyiye from Nyankole tribe. She used some herbs which helped Wanimo to extinguish the fire with magical ease. This impressed Wire.
Wire explained to her his predicament that made him wifeless. The lady solved Wire's problem by giving him oluengera and some herbal medicine. This cured his problem.
Wire and Naweyiye struck a rapport. After some time, they moved on to stay together on the island or Sigulu. Here, they stayed as a new family. Naweyiye turned out to be a great medicine-woman.
2. The origin of the name Abakwangwachi
While on the Sigulu, Naweyiye became expectant and gave birth to a son. Wire named the son Wanimo. Unfortunately, after a small misunderstanding with Naweyiye, Wire commited suicide by drawning. His body was never found or retrieved. Naweyiye went back with Wanimo to live among her people: the Nyankole. Wanimo grew up at his uncle's place.
When Wanimo was a teenager, he became possed by the spirit of circumcision that drove him out of his uncle's home. Naweyiye followed him until the two reached the home of Bakwangwa clan. Upon explanation of the son's predicament by Naweyiye, Bakwangwa elders refused to accept her narration. Out of jealousy from Wanimo's brother, who was now in leadership, Naweyiye and her son Wire were send away. Naweyiye went back and got re-married to a man from Abasiondo. Unfortumnately, she never gave birth to any other child.
Upon the death of Naweyiye, Wanimo and his family returned to Sigulu. Wire liked referring to himself as "Wanimo Omukwangwa; okhwa Owomumachi" for Omukwangwa- son-of-he-who-lives-in-the-waters.' That last bit in his praise turned out to be a nickname for his children: Abakwangwa ba womumachi. This was shortened as as Abakwangwachi.
With time, his family became known as Abakwangwachi. To date, the water and rope type of death are common among members of the clan.
3. The Migration story
Abakwangwachi clan's migration story is the same to the migration story of Abanyala of Kakamega.
4. The Abakwangwachi clan totem
Abakwangwachi's totem is a buffalo (emboko) hence referred to as Abakwangwachi emboko (Abakwangwachi the buffalo). This was a totem picked from the clan of Naweyiye's mother. In fact, Wanimo's sighting of the buffalo just before meeting Naweyiye was symbolically significant. That is why Abakwangwachi leaders use a tail from emboko in addition to that from the cattle.
5. Abakwangwachi Clan Leadership
Their clan leader had the following items of leadership: a tail switch from a buffalo, ekutusi that had cowrie-shells, a bracelet, a walking stick called ekhendie from a tree called omukhendie, a long spear, three legged stool made from a tree called omukangu or omuperi and a leader's cloth made from a leopard's skin. These were 'cleaned' every year using animal fat mixed with plant oil from castro oil plant.
Due to democratization of leadership as from 1964, the clan leaders are presently chosen through an election. However, the election is dictated by equity in the sharing of positions and family tree seniority.
6. Beliefs
Most of the clan members were very superstitious people and great consultants in herbal medicine. The key source of the herbal medicine was Naweyiye- the Nyankole lady. The notable consultants among Abakwangachi were: Mulaa during the reign of Nasokho wa Nalukuo, Wafula wa Muyundi during the era of Omwami Ngao and Simbauni wa Nalulefu who was an advisor to Omwami Hamisi Tabaasi Okwako Ndombi wa Namusia.
Most clan members are believed to have some anointing (emikasa) identifiable by wearing bracelets. Those with omukasa were not to great each other by handshaking.
Most of the elderly clan members in early 1980s such as Egesa Namale, Masinde Nalulingo, Petero Erima Balovera and Mishaka Ekesa Balovera were secret followers of Dini ya Musambwa and great friends to Elijah Masinde Nameme who always paid regular visits. Nowadays, majority of the clan members have moved to Christianity or Muslim
7. Abakwangwachi Clan praise phrase:
The motto used by both males and female members of the clan is Abakwangwachi sikulu namuniinia. This is in recognition of the original homeland where Wire met Naweyiye.
The male from the clan is called Omukwangwachi. Male have a distinct motto: Omukwangwachi owatikitia ekulu (he who had the ability to direct lightening where to strike).
The female of Abakwangachi is known as Namakwangwachi or shortened as Kwachi. The Kwachis have a different motto- they pride themselves in the phrase Kwachi emboko (Daughter of Abakwangwachi of the buffalo totem).
8. The war of efunikho that decimated Abakwangwachi.
On the Island, the family of Wire wa Naweyiye rapidly multiplied into a people who were referred to as Abakwangwachi.
However, there arose a war that lead to the death of many family members. This war is remembered as the war of efunikho or Esiatikho for it 'covered to death' many clans of a people who lived near Ebunamumbo. This is estimated to have been in 1710 A.D based on the historical record of the Abakhoone-Nyala War. The attack had far reaching effects.
From this war, only four members of Abakwangwachi survived. The four were Wafundesa, Mukhokoche, Mulaa and Lukoye. Due to their reduced population, they joined Abasiondo and Abachimba to form a clan cluster (esiriwa) of Abawo.
9. The major family tree
The Abakwangwachi are made up of only one family that starts with the four sons of Wanimo (I) who survived the war between Abanyala and Abakhone. This was after the mass killing done by the people from far beyond Nambweke in 1710 AD while they lived in Sigulu. If any of the clan members escaped to any other place, then they must have changed their identity and got assimilated.
Abakwangwachi belonged to a clan cluster (esiriwa) called Abawo. It was originally set up by Abakwangwachi, Abasiondo and Abachimba in 1710AD after ifunikho war in Ebunambo but two more clans joined. The Abawo had the following five groups.
Also, it is said that the irigi of the ckan was an incest relation.
B] TRACING THE HISTORY OF ABAKWANGWACHI
The following deals with settlement and family tree.
A. The settlement areas for Abakwangwachi
Abakwangwachi are settled in Kakamega and Bungoma.
1. Uganda- Some of the members of the generation of Wafundesa which joined Abaucha in Uganda still identify themselves as Abakwangwachi. Also, a few members migrated from Kenya and settled in Uganda. For example, Wafula wa Oteka (Teka) a grandson to Malaba wa Muyundi lives in Uganda.
2. Bungoma- They stay in Milo, Kimilili, Kibingei, Nyange, Milani and Kuywa.
3. Kakamega- This is where we have the largest population of Abakwangwachi.
The family tree of Abakwangwachi starts with Wanimo Wanimo sired Wire wa Neweyiye. Wire sired an expansive generation that was almost wiped out in a war in Ebunamumbo in 1710 AD. From the then generation, only four sons of Wanimo (I) survived.
The link of the lineage from the four back to Wire son of Wanimo got undocumented. However, from the four, the family tree to the present generation of every Omukwangwachi is very clear.
1.0. Generation of the four sons who escaped the war of efunikho
From the generation of Wire on Sigulu, four sons of Wanimo (I) son of Were scaped death. These were Wafundesa, Mukhokoche, Mulaa and Lukoye.
Due to lack of information on Wafundesa, Mukhokoche and Mulaa we are left with the family tree of Lukoye son of Wanimo. The family of Lukoye is the genesis of the many present day Abakwangwachi. After migrating from one place to another with his skull, he was finally put to rest in an Omukhuyu tree in a place refered to as Ebweli Hills- the sacret shrine place for the clan of Abakwangwachi.
Lukoye had two sons: Nalukuo (Nanguo) and Wanimo (II)
In this generation, we had the following:
This generation witnessed the following sons who grew up to have a generation that still exist today.
This is the generation of Abakwangwachi that successfully reached Nabakholo during migration. Any of their other Abakwangwachi perished in the war to an extend that their families remained undocumented.
This is the Abakwangachi generation that is settled in various areas of Navakholo.
This generation started in the late 1800 AD into the early part of 1900 AD. By 2018 AD, it had a few serviving octogerians who had seen greatgrandsons to their grandsons.
The above seventeen houses gave rise to an expansive family that gave rise to the present days' generation.
KEY PEOPLE AMONG ABAKWANGWACHI
Wafula wa Muyundi- He was a great medicineman. He is credited for having given herbs to a quail during the time of migration to show the final dwelling place. He ensured the whiteman did not build a 'camp' at Navakholo by making herbs with mad termite ants to block the doors of the houses that had been build.
Nalulefu- this was the nain adviser to chief Ndombi wa Namusia.
1. The first ancestor of Abakwangwachi
The first traceble ancestor of Abakwangwachi was called Wiire Wirecha (Wafula.) Wire's father was from Bakwangwa and his mother was from Basikulu clan that was part of the cluster of Ababuya. Wire broke off from Bakwangwa clan when he differed with his clansmen over installation of family heir when his father died. The stakes were high on family leadership since the heir was poised to became the clan leader of Bakwangwa.
By the time of his father's death, Wire had not yet married despite being old enough to do so. Therefore, his younger brother, who had married earlier than him, was given the leadership mantle. In protest, Wire threatened to commit suicide. He took off armed with a suicidal rope and went to the river where he got lost. A search that was mounted by Abakwangwa elders neither found him alive nor his body. He was assumed dead. The Bakwangwa elders organised for his funeral, buried a banana and performed other associated rituals.
However, Wire did not kill himself. He went into the river crossed over and wondered off to an island or Sigulu. He lived alone on the island. He could come off the island and move into the forest nearby. After some time, he started clearing the forest for settlement. One day, when Wanimo was burning plants that he had cut, the fire became uncontrollable and strayed into the forest. Suddenly, a buffalo run past him. This was followed by the sighting of a mature lady who stopped by to talk to Wanimo. The lady introduced herself as Naweyiye from Nyankole tribe. She used some herbs which helped Wanimo to extinguish the fire with magical ease. This impressed Wire.
Wire explained to her his predicament that made him wifeless. The lady solved Wire's problem by giving him oluengera and some herbal medicine. This cured his problem.
Wire and Naweyiye struck a rapport. After some time, they moved on to stay together on the island or Sigulu. Here, they stayed as a new family. Naweyiye turned out to be a great medicine-woman.
2. The origin of the name Abakwangwachi
While on the Sigulu, Naweyiye became expectant and gave birth to a son. Wire named the son Wanimo. Unfortunately, after a small misunderstanding with Naweyiye, Wire commited suicide by drawning. His body was never found or retrieved. Naweyiye went back with Wanimo to live among her people: the Nyankole. Wanimo grew up at his uncle's place.
When Wanimo was a teenager, he became possed by the spirit of circumcision that drove him out of his uncle's home. Naweyiye followed him until the two reached the home of Bakwangwa clan. Upon explanation of the son's predicament by Naweyiye, Bakwangwa elders refused to accept her narration. Out of jealousy from Wanimo's brother, who was now in leadership, Naweyiye and her son Wire were send away. Naweyiye went back and got re-married to a man from Abasiondo. Unfortumnately, she never gave birth to any other child.
Upon the death of Naweyiye, Wanimo and his family returned to Sigulu. Wire liked referring to himself as "Wanimo Omukwangwa; okhwa Owomumachi" for Omukwangwa- son-of-he-who-lives-in-the-waters.' That last bit in his praise turned out to be a nickname for his children: Abakwangwa ba womumachi. This was shortened as as Abakwangwachi.
With time, his family became known as Abakwangwachi. To date, the water and rope type of death are common among members of the clan.
3. The Migration story
Abakwangwachi clan's migration story is the same to the migration story of Abanyala of Kakamega.
4. The Abakwangwachi clan totem
Abakwangwachi's totem is a buffalo (emboko) hence referred to as Abakwangwachi emboko (Abakwangwachi the buffalo). This was a totem picked from the clan of Naweyiye's mother. In fact, Wanimo's sighting of the buffalo just before meeting Naweyiye was symbolically significant. That is why Abakwangwachi leaders use a tail from emboko in addition to that from the cattle.
5. Abakwangwachi Clan Leadership
Their clan leader had the following items of leadership: a tail switch from a buffalo, ekutusi that had cowrie-shells, a bracelet, a walking stick called ekhendie from a tree called omukhendie, a long spear, three legged stool made from a tree called omukangu or omuperi and a leader's cloth made from a leopard's skin. These were 'cleaned' every year using animal fat mixed with plant oil from castro oil plant.
Due to democratization of leadership as from 1964, the clan leaders are presently chosen through an election. However, the election is dictated by equity in the sharing of positions and family tree seniority.
6. Beliefs
Most of the clan members were very superstitious people and great consultants in herbal medicine. The key source of the herbal medicine was Naweyiye- the Nyankole lady. The notable consultants among Abakwangachi were: Mulaa during the reign of Nasokho wa Nalukuo, Wafula wa Muyundi during the era of Omwami Ngao and Simbauni wa Nalulefu who was an advisor to Omwami Hamisi Tabaasi Okwako Ndombi wa Namusia.
Most clan members are believed to have some anointing (emikasa) identifiable by wearing bracelets. Those with omukasa were not to great each other by handshaking.
Most of the elderly clan members in early 1980s such as Egesa Namale, Masinde Nalulingo, Petero Erima Balovera and Mishaka Ekesa Balovera were secret followers of Dini ya Musambwa and great friends to Elijah Masinde Nameme who always paid regular visits. Nowadays, majority of the clan members have moved to Christianity or Muslim
7. Abakwangwachi Clan praise phrase:
The motto used by both males and female members of the clan is Abakwangwachi sikulu namuniinia. This is in recognition of the original homeland where Wire met Naweyiye.
The male from the clan is called Omukwangwachi. Male have a distinct motto: Omukwangwachi owatikitia ekulu (he who had the ability to direct lightening where to strike).
The female of Abakwangachi is known as Namakwangwachi or shortened as Kwachi. The Kwachis have a different motto- they pride themselves in the phrase Kwachi emboko (Daughter of Abakwangwachi of the buffalo totem).
8. The war of efunikho that decimated Abakwangwachi.
On the Island, the family of Wire wa Naweyiye rapidly multiplied into a people who were referred to as Abakwangwachi.
However, there arose a war that lead to the death of many family members. This war is remembered as the war of efunikho or Esiatikho for it 'covered to death' many clans of a people who lived near Ebunamumbo. This is estimated to have been in 1710 A.D based on the historical record of the Abakhoone-Nyala War. The attack had far reaching effects.
From this war, only four members of Abakwangwachi survived. The four were Wafundesa, Mukhokoche, Mulaa and Lukoye. Due to their reduced population, they joined Abasiondo and Abachimba to form a clan cluster (esiriwa) of Abawo.
9. The major family tree
The Abakwangwachi are made up of only one family that starts with the four sons of Wanimo (I) who survived the war between Abanyala and Abakhone. This was after the mass killing done by the people from far beyond Nambweke in 1710 AD while they lived in Sigulu. If any of the clan members escaped to any other place, then they must have changed their identity and got assimilated.
- Wafundesa wa Namuucha- this was the eldest of the four. His lineage remained among his Uncles of Abaucha clans among Ababuya whoin were in Uganda. That is why Abakwangwachi regarded Abaucha among Abagwe and Abaucha among Ababuya as brothers. They assimilated the family of their son Wafundesa wa Namuucha.
- Mukhokoche- this was the second eldest of the four. His leneage moved to Bukusuland. His family tree has never been traced.
- Mulaa- his role is greatly documented in history books among the Ababukusu. Most of his family members died during the Chetambe and Lumboka massacre when they took refuge in the forts. Those who remained did not want to identify themselves as Abanyala due to fear of attack from European soldiers who were after these who were offering a leading role towards the resistance to the whiteman's rule. They became assimilated into various clans of Ababukusu.
- Lukoye Wa Wanimo- this was the youngest of the three survivors. He gave rise to groups in Kakamega and Bungoma.
Abakwangwachi belonged to a clan cluster (esiriwa) called Abawo. It was originally set up by Abakwangwachi, Abasiondo and Abachimba in 1710AD after ifunikho war in Ebunambo but two more clans joined. The Abawo had the following five groups.
- Abasiondo- These were the leaders and 'fathers' of Abawo. They represented Abawo in the larger Abanyala leadership.
- Abachimba- They became the custodian of omukungu (powers to judge during sitting of Abawo). They were also the custodian of the horn of a waterbuck olwika lwa enjobe and the drum of sookho that were sounded at time of calamity.
- Abakwangwachi- they were tasked to protect the Abawo and the fort (olukoba) using herbs. They had very few members at the start since most of their members died.
- Abasenya- They were originally Masaais. They were the last to join the cluster through Simbuchi. They joined the Abawo at Mbaale- now located in Busia Uganda. They formed the security of Abawo under the chaperone of Abasiondo. Simbuchi married a girl from the Abawo (Abakwangwachi) and fondly referred to her as Namuwo. Namuwo was the feminine form of Abawo. That is why Abasenya pride in the phrase 'Nasenya Omusimbuchi Namuwo.'
- Abaucha- This was the forth clan that formed Abawo cluster while still in Uganda. They were a few members of one of the six subclans of Ababuya. It is worth noting that the other Abaucha remained in their fort (olukoba) together with Basikulu, Baumbwa, Bakhufwe and Bawoolo. Abaucha were given the role of blessing Abawo and okhusena omuse when a leader was dead. Due to this role, they were called Aba- ekumba to symbolise the 'owners of the blessing bone.'
1. Abakwangwachi and Bakwangwa.
There is still that pronounced fear of attempts of marriage between Abakwangwachi and Bakwangwa. The father of Abakwangwachi, Wanimo wa Nasiondo, is believed to have been from the Bakwangwa.
2. The Abakwangwachi and Abaucha in Bukusu and Uganda.
There is still the fear of marriage unions between the the Abaucha who live among Abagwe in Uganda and Baucha in Bukusu. This is believed to be where the family of Wafundesa wa Namuucha which broke off from Abakwangwachi and got assimilated- among clans in Abagwe and Ababuya clan clusters. The breaking off was after Wafundesa wa Namuucha marrying Nasenya Namuwo against the clan pact. By that time, Abakwangwachi were never allowed to marry Abasenya. Therefore, Wafundesa moved out to live among the uncles. His leneage kept a link with Abakwangwachi during important cultural functions in early years but dissappeared outout of contact.
Abakwangwachi are sure that one of their sons got assimilated among Abaucha but cannot point out the exact family lineage.
3. There WAS a pact involving Abakwangwachi and Abasenya.
Simbuchi, the father of Abasenya, married an Abakwangwachi girl called Nafula Tingo and the two vowed that their children could not intermarry with their uncle's clan until the generation of esitakha-amalalu from the sons of Nafula is over. This has been respected for ages.
However, it is believed that the generation may have now reached. Out of pioneer marriage fear, few have attempted to marry.
4. Abakwangwachi clan pact with Abaucha in Kakamega.
The Abakwangwachi and the Abaucha in Kakamega have been existing as one clan under two family names. They were Abakwangwachi ba Lukoba (those under the omwamin Lukoba) and Abakwangwachi Baucha. In fact, according to Gideon Saulo Were in his book, The history of Abaluhya 1500 -1930, Abaucha was not an independent clan from Abakwangwachi in 1968.
Origin of Abakwangwachi Abaucha in Kakamega.
There are two theories about the irigin of Abaucha.
The children of Wafundesa wa Namuucha, the eldest son of Wanimo (I) came to live in the home of Omusiondo among the Abawo cluster. However, the son got involved in a love affair with a daughter of Abakwangwachi. The elders noted that the boy was from Wafundesa's lineage that had got assimilated among Abaucha. The two were an aunt and her nephew.
Due to this, the elders performed the ritual of okhukona mwikhokho (sleeping in the ribcages) followed by hitting each other with a raw liver. This cleansing lead to the death of the boy. The child born was then silently incorporated into Abakwangwachi.
Indeed, though now existing as separate clans, there is that strong feeling that the father to the child was from an Omukwangwachi lineage of Wafundesa wa Namuucha. In fact, before the recent split, the elderly Abakwangwachi recognised Abakwangwachi Abaucha as the elderly house from Wafundesa wa Wanimo (I). They were the owners of the headquarter of any cattle slaughtered during a cultural function. Thus, they prided themselves as Namuucha aba ekumba. Then, they recognised Abakwangwachi Bakoba as the younger house. The Abakoba wes the family lineage of Lukoye than comprised of six houses of Lukoba, Wanandaba, Wangoya, Otunya, Wanimo (III) and Wafula Muyundi. Abakwangwachi Abakoba arepicked on the name because they came under the leadership of Lukoba wa Mukhokoche the grandson of Nanguo.
Most people try to cover up the issue of oluswa by saying the forefather of Abaucha of Navakholo was an omwiwa, from Abaucha clan who grew up among the Abakwangwachi. However, the father was an Omukwangwachi whose lineage got assimilated among Abakwangwa. After the split, the group has gone back in search of the lineage of Wafundesa wa Wanimo (I) among Abakwangwa in uganda and Bakwangwa in Bukusu.
Also, it is said that the irigi of the ckan was an incest relation.
B] TRACING THE HISTORY OF ABAKWANGWACHI
The following deals with settlement and family tree.
A. The settlement areas for Abakwangwachi
Abakwangwachi are settled in Kakamega and Bungoma.
1. Uganda- Some of the members of the generation of Wafundesa which joined Abaucha in Uganda still identify themselves as Abakwangwachi. Also, a few members migrated from Kenya and settled in Uganda. For example, Wafula wa Oteka (Teka) a grandson to Malaba wa Muyundi lives in Uganda.
2. Bungoma- They stay in Milo, Kimilili, Kibingei, Nyange, Milani and Kuywa.
3. Kakamega- This is where we have the largest population of Abakwangwachi.
- Navakholo Sub-county, they stay in Nang'anda, Sisokhe, Lusumu, Sivilie, Butsotso, Lutaso and Namirama.
- Matete Sub-county, they stay in Lumani, Chenjeni, Chevaywa, Nambalayi and Nambilima.
- Kakamega North Sub-county, they stay in Musidi, Mayuke and Mwikhupo. For example, below is a portrait of Mzee Petero Erima whose patrinial generation is found in Mwikhupo- of Musidi
Petero Erima Balovera (1897-2002) - Lugari Sub-county- most of those in Lugari migrated to the place in later years.
The family tree of Abakwangwachi starts with Wanimo Wanimo sired Wire wa Neweyiye. Wire sired an expansive generation that was almost wiped out in a war in Ebunamumbo in 1710 AD. From the then generation, only four sons of Wanimo (I) survived.
The link of the lineage from the four back to Wire son of Wanimo got undocumented. However, from the four, the family tree to the present generation of every Omukwangwachi is very clear.
1.0. Generation of the four sons who escaped the war of efunikho
From the generation of Wire on Sigulu, four sons of Wanimo (I) son of Were scaped death. These were Wafundesa, Mukhokoche, Mulaa and Lukoye.
- Wafundesa wa Namuucha (for reasons known as okhwiwuchawucha with a girl called Nasenya Namuwo of the Abawo he was forced to move away from Abakwangwachi to settle among his uncles of Abaucha clan in Uganda. By this time, it was a taboo for omukwangwachi to marry Omusenya since they were in one clan cluster of Abawo.
- The families of Mukhokoche got assimilated among the clans of Babukusu at the time when Masiribayi took over power from Nasookho. It is narrated that many of his family members perished during the war in Lumboka and Chetambe massacre while others got assimilated.
- The family of Mulaa- Mulaa died without siring any child. He was always on war frontline among the Babukusu as the bearer of war herbs.
- Lukoye became the forefather of the Abakwangwachi who made it to be among the clans of Abanyala ba Kakamega.
Due to lack of information on Wafundesa, Mukhokoche and Mulaa we are left with the family tree of Lukoye son of Wanimo. The family of Lukoye is the genesis of the many present day Abakwangwachi. After migrating from one place to another with his skull, he was finally put to rest in an Omukhuyu tree in a place refered to as Ebweli Hills- the sacret shrine place for the clan of Abakwangwachi.
Lukoye had two sons: Nalukuo (Nanguo) and Wanimo (II)
- Nalukuo (fondly refered to as Nanguo due to influence of Kiswahili). He took care of Wanimo upon the death of Lukoye. Nalukuo was the name of his mother hence he used the name as a praise name. Nalukuo, the mother, was then inherited by Omusiondo. Therefore, Wanimo grew up under care of Nalukuo (Nanguo) in the home of Omusiondo. That is why to this date, Nanguo's family tree is the one has retained the powers to bless all the other Abakwangwachi families during general clan functions where the two families are involved. Before that, it was the family of Wafundesa wa Namuucha that was bleesing Abawo while in Uganda. Presently, among Abakwangwachi, anybody from Nalukuwo (Nanguo) progeny is considered to be from the senior or the father-family.
- Wanimo (II)- This was the young brother to Nalukuo stated above. His generation considered the Nanguo's as their father-family. Wanimo respected his brother Nalukuo since it was Nalukuo who nursed him to maturiy.
In this generation, we had the following:
- Nanguo had only one son Mukhokoche. It was said that Mukhokoche had powers to predict impending events by examining the entrails of animals and communal funeral fire.
- Wanimo (II) had two sons. These two were Wamalwa and Wanangwe Muyiya. Wanangwe was very reknown in herbal medicine man among the Abanyala and people believed he could perform miracles with herbs. That is why they nicknamed him 'Muyiya' for miracle performer.
This generation witnessed the following sons who grew up to have a generation that still exist today.
- Mukhokoche was the eldest and had two sons. These were Lukoba and Wanandaba.
- Wamalwa was the second born had two sons. These were Wangoya and Otunya
- Wanangwe was the third subling and had three sons. These were Wanimo (III), Wafula Muyundi and Malaba. Malaba passed on early in life.
This is the generation of Abakwangwachi that successfully reached Nabakholo during migration. Any of their other Abakwangwachi perished in the war to an extend that their families remained undocumented.
- Lukoba wa Mukhokoche sired Nanguo.
- Wanandaba wa Mukhokoche sired Kasembeli
- Wangoya wa Wamalwa sired Namunyu, Balovera, Okava and Machuli. Of the four, only Namunyu survived to marriage age.
- Otunya wa Wamalwa had one son called Wamagondi.
- Wanimo (III) sired Tetende (Natende), Sipeto, Simasi (I) and Simali
- Wafula Muyundi sired Malaba and Makhulo.
This is the Abakwangachi generation that is settled in various areas of Navakholo.
- Nanguo wa Lukoba sired Sirengo, Waomba, Maombo, Simbauni Nalulefu, Mutwaro, Namisiko and Paka.
- Kasembeli wa Wanandaba sired Nandakaywa and Mbusi
- Namunyu’s wa Wangoya sired Balovera (II) and Okava.
- Malaba wa Muyundi sired Kweyu, Oteka, Mututa,and Nato.
- Makhulo wa Muyundi sired Mabale
- Mabale wa Makhulo sired Were (Nambilima).
- Wamagondi wa Otunya sired Muyindi, Mumali, Wauchebe, Sitima and Sisa Khakhere.
- Tetende wa Wanimo had Okana Wafula (I).
- Sipeto wa Wanimo had Biketi, Wanyonyi and Wabwire
- Simasi wa Wanimo had one son called Chirimunjala.
- Simali wa Wanimo sired Wekhichu and Namusamango.
This generation started in the late 1800 AD into the early part of 1900 AD. By 2018 AD, it had a few serviving octogerians who had seen greatgrandsons to their grandsons.
- Sirengo wa Nanguo sired: Elisha, Zakayo, Nyikuri Maombo, and Musi.
- Waomba wa Nanguo sired Khaoya, Ekesa, Malekhe, Kuloba, Wilson Wafula, Barasa Waomba
- Nalulefu wa Nanguo sired Chirimani and Hamisi
- Namisiko wa Nanguo sired Kaba and Wasike
- Mutwaro wa Nanguo sired Khasiriminyi
- Paka wa Nanguo sired Kawa, Samoja and Okhubo.
- Maombo wa Nanguo had Wamalwa, Barasa Maombo, Wakhungu, Mayende and Dismas Okava.
- Nandakaywa wa Kasembeli sired Makete.
- Mbusi wa Kasembeli sired Wanandaba, Kasembeli, Makete, Nandakaywa (Karakacha)
- Nandakaywa wa Nanguo sired Makete, Jeremiah, Pang’a, Mbusi, and Kawa.
- Biketi wa Sipeto sired Nakitare and Wanyonyi Timeteyo
- Wanyonyi wa Sipeto sired Simiyu, Waswa, Simasi, Keyari, Kitayi, Jaka, Kaubania, Biketi and Wekesa
- Wabwile wa Sipeto sired Sipeto,
- Okava wa Namunyu sired Erima, Okumu, Yakobo, Siminyu, Makokha, Masika and Namunyu.
- Balovera wa Namunyu sired Petero Erima, Mishaka Ekesa, Daniel Mang'oli, Musi Wafula, Barasa, Okumu, Khaemba, Enock Namunyu and Philip Matang'u.
- Kweyu wa Malaba sired Lumunyasi, Musumba and Zebedayo
- Oteka (Teka) wa Malaba sired Elima (Kumero), Kituyi, Mulupi, Sichangi, Okiya and Wafula who disappeared into Uganda.
- Mututa wa Malaba sired Sabuni, Makinda, Phillip Khaemba, Simiyu, Mariko, Wanimo Khaemba, Nyongesa, Wafula and Oteka (Teka).
- Nato wa Malaba sired Barasa and Muresia.
- Muyindi wa Wamagondi sired Mulalu.
- Mumali wa Wamagondi sired Makokha, Kandawala and Makhanu.
- Wauchabe wa Wamagondi sired Musinga and Sikutwa.
- Mwenya wa Wanagondi sired Wasike, Uluma and Chumbe.
- Sitima wa Wamagondi sired Mutembete and Wekulo.
- Kakhere wa Wamagondi sired Wechuli, Liboyi, Kaba, Tete, Okhomolo, Makina and Sifuna
- Okana Wafula (I) wa Tetende sired Masinde Nalulingo who stay in Musidi farm
- Kauvania wa Tatende Sired Elam Wafula
- Walusuna wa Tatende sired Hoyi, Kasembeli and Mukami
- Namasakasa wa Tetende sired........
- Mukhekhere wa Tatende sired J. Erima.
- Ochanji wa Tetende sired......
- Wekhichu wa Simali sired Opiro, Masinde, Barnabas, Harun Waswa, Achimu, Malala, Nguombi, Makokha, Mwimali, Simali and Nyongesa. They stay in Namirama.
- Namusamango wa Simali sired......
- Biketi wa Sipeto sired Nakitare and Kundu who stay in Kibisi farm.
- Wanyonyi wa Sipeto sired Simiyu, Waswa, Simasi, Kenyari, Kitayi, Jaka, Kaubania, Biketi and Wekesa.
- Wabwile wa Sipeto sired Sipeto.
- Chirimunjala wa Simasi sired....
The above seventeen houses gave rise to an expansive family that gave rise to the present days' generation.
KEY PEOPLE AMONG ABAKWANGWACHI
Wafula wa Muyundi- He was a great medicineman. He is credited for having given herbs to a quail during the time of migration to show the final dwelling place. He ensured the whiteman did not build a 'camp' at Navakholo by making herbs with mad termite ants to block the doors of the houses that had been build.
Nalulefu- this was the nain adviser to chief Ndombi wa Namusia.
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